Della Feenstra

April 4, 1931 - September 3, 2024

Mom, Grandma, GG, sister, aunt, neighbour and friend, Della loved and was loved by many people during her 93-year life. Della was born in Colton, South Dakota, on April 4, 1931. She died in Surrey, BC, on September 3, 2024. She was pre-deceased in 1986 by her greatest love, Luitzen (Lou).

Della was the daughter of Chris Van der Wal, who emigrated from the Netherlands to the US in the 1920s. After several years, he returned to the Netherlands to find a wife. He married Cor Visser in 1930, and the couple went back to the US, settling in South Dakota. Della was born, and then her sisters, Dorothy and Janny. After Janny's birth, Cor became ill, and so in 1934, the family returned to the Netherlands. Della had a faint memory of being given a balloon on the voyage. The family settled in Apeldoorn, where Marten was born, and then the war broke out. They survived those years, and in 1949 they emigrated to Canada.

Della spent a few years in Vancouver, working as a nanny and kindergarten teacher, and then met Luitzen, also a Dutch immigrant. The couple married on a wintry day in December 1953 and set up home on Euclid Ave. in Vancouver. Later they moved to Gamma Ave. in Burnaby, and then to Skyline Drive in Abbotsford. After Luitzen's death, Della stayed in Abbotsford for several years and then moved to South Surrey to be closer to Carla and Rick. Like her father, Della was independent, but in 2019, after breaking her shoulder and then hip, she was no longer able to live on her own. She spent a few months at Peninsula Retirement Residence and then almost five years at Morgan Place, where she was extremely well looked after by the staff. Many thanks to all of them.

Della was a kind and caring person, who could strike up a conversation with anyone. Wherever she settled, she made friends and took an interest in what was going on. She was generous towards others, but equally, appreciative of what was done for her. Even to the end, when she could hardly speak, she still said "thank you" to her caregivers.

Della had a keen sense of style and loved modern design, which was evident in way she furnished her houses, and in the clothes she made. She learned to knit and sew at an early age, and never stopped creating. She always had textile projects on the go, and in her later years, spent many happy times with the Abbotsford and Peace Arch Spinners and Weavers Guilds. She also had a green thumb. She grew indoor plants and established gardens wherever she lived. She loved nothing more than to buy a wilted little plant on sale and nurture it into its full glory.

Della's greatest joy was her family. She was immensely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved to spend time with them. She was always supportive and encouraging and interested in their affairs. She didn't hesitate to get on a plane to visit Randy and Julie, or Rob and Gail, and she arranged many family holidays.

Della will be greatly missed by her children: Carla (and Rick), Randy (and Julie), Rob (and Gail); her grandchildren: Megan (and Bob), Heather (and James), Ian (and Jen), Evan (and Stephanie), Eliot (and Sophie), Emily (and James), Cameron; her great-grandchildren: Cade, Davin, Grant, Freya, Lily, Duncan, Loet, and Fia; as well as her extended family in Canada, the US, and the Netherlands.

There will be a celebration of her life at 11:30am on Friday Sept. 13, at Peninsula United Church, 2756 127 St. Surrey.