Born March 9, 1929 in the Netherlands.
With sadness, love but also a hope beyond the grave, we announce the passing away of our dear mother, grandmother (Oma) and great-grandmother (Super-Oma) Mina Johanna Dresselhuis on June 21, 2021, in New Westminster.
Mom/Oma's life impacted many lives over the years. Beginning in Holland (first in her vocation as a teacher; later as a fully involved pastor's wife/ partner to her husband Rev. J.E.F. Dresselhuis), then after emigrating to Canada, various pastorates across the country, including assisting our dad's work as a harbour chaplain to the international seafaring community in the port of Vancouver.
Mina was a warm and hospitable woman, gracious in her manner and conduct towards all alike. She cared deeply for people and was always ready to open her home to welcome local and international guests as well as those in need. Mina shared her tremendous gift of music and piano widely in schools, choirs, in churches, at weddings and other special events.
She was active in women's Bible studies and coffee break ministries. In her retirement years she continued to be active informally in home and hospital visitation as well as in music. Having grown up during WWII in Europe meant that she was appreciative, as an immigrant, of the freedoms and opportunity experienced in Canada.
While being a woman of simple taste and thankful for the little things in life, Mina was also a sophisticated lady, who in addition to being an acolyte of classical music and a VSO subscriber, was just as comfortable switching between various languages as she spoke to people, as she was with offering sage wisdom by quoting proverbs and expressions in Latin.
Although she experienced losses and many health disappointments in her later years, Mina was courageous, cheerful, determined, uncomplaining, and held onto her sense of humor. Most importantly, however, she was convinced of GOD's reliability, provision for her life and confidence in HIS promises for the future, because of her Saviour Jesus Christ. That was Mina's consistent testimony, even when her mind weakened, and she could only remember snippets of Bible songs.
Our consolation is that Mom/Oma is already experiencing what GOD has promised to all, having made a way for us to have peace and relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Mina was a loyal wife, a loving mother to her children Jolinka (John), Christianne (Glenn), Gwendolyn (Hans) and Jeffrey ( Andrea) and proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren and their families. She was predeceased by her dear husband Jan-Eddo (Jef), daughter Christianne, parents Marinus and Trijntje Woelders(Hinlopen) and all five of her siblings. Her surviving sisters-in-law Etty, Agaath and Cisca ( Koos) reside in Holland, as well as various nieces and nephews in Holland, USA and Denmark.
We as a family are very grateful for the marvelous care and kindness she received while resident in the Royal City Manor during her final years.
A memorial service will be held on July 26, 2021, at 10 am in the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church (8255 13th Ave. Burnaby) The service will also be available as a live-stream - for details, contact Jolinka Alderliesten at j5674961@telus.net
Revelations 21:4 - 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
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