Julie Ann Lindhout (Boersema)
August 19, 1941 – January 12, 2023
By Marek J.D. Goldyn The Canadian National News
Obituary
After a valiant battle with cancer, our Heavenly Father peacefully called home His faithful child, our Mother, Julie Lindhout, in her 82nd year. Mom loved the Lord and served Him with every aspect of her life, living the desire to use the many talents God gave her to His glory.
Dearly loved Mother of Robert, Marcelle and Tony Togeretz, and Marlissa and Martin Nyenhuis. Cherished Gramma to her beloved 21 grandchildren and 12 precious great-grandchildren. Special Aunt to Dave and Sherri Boersema and their children.
Mom was predeceased in 2021 by her treasured husband of 59 years, Cornelis (Case) Lindhout. Also preceeding Mom into glory were her parents, Marten and Elly (Bos) Boersema, her parents-in-law Cornelis and Elisabeth (Schoon) Lindhout, her younger sister-in-law, Josephine (Lindhout) Lodder, and her brothers-in-law, Dirk Bergsma, Jake Oosterhoff and Jack Pieterman.
Mom will be very much missed by her siblings: John and Jenny Boersema, Doug Boersema, Joe and Ena Boersema, Rennie Pieterman, Ralph and Lucille Boersema, Attie and Henry Sandink, Jack Boersema, Janice and Hank VanDam, Bob and Nancy Boersema, Theresa and Talbot Bergsma, Marcia and Ron Vandenbos, and Nick Boersema, and sister-in-law Susan Koomans; and by her siblings-in-law Nel Oosterhoff, AnneMarie Bergsma, Liz and Bill Oostdyk, Jack Lodder and Peter and Lorraine Lindhout, as well as countless nephews and nieces of the third and fourth generation.
Mom was born in Groningen, the Netherlands, August 19, 1941. Along with her parents and siblings born in The Netherlands, she immigrated by boat, The Volendam, and they settled in Strathroy, Ontario in 1951. As oldest sibling, Mom was often called upon to be a caregiver, also sharing beds with and taking night responsibility for younger siblings, who hold such memories to this day. With her gifts of intelligence and determination, Mom forged through her elementary and secondary schooling even while missing large segments of school time to help out at home. Despite her stature and youthful appearance, Mom got her driver’s license at an earlier age than usual, in order to be able to help out with the family driving. Mom always loved to drive, and seemed to have all of Ontario mapped out in her head. Last year she achieved her desire to drive to BC with her daughter, and back with her grand-daughter for her Epic Eightieth birthday Road Trip.
In the spring of 1959, Mom met Dad at a provincial church youth function to which they were both delegated by their respective societies, and they were married June 9, 1962. Theirs was truly a wonderful marriage: an example of love, faithfulness and friendship. They supported each other in every endeavour and loved each other with a deep and abiding love. They remained deeply committed to both sides of the family, using their talents to assist and give guidance to all of them, especially after the sudden passing of her Father in 1969.
Mom was a very supportive and encouraging Mother to Robert, Marcelle and Marlissa, and endeavoured to develop individual and personal relationships with each child, grandchild and great grandchild, whether by birth, adoption or by marriage.
Mom loved education, continuing on to achieve a B.Ed, M.A. and M.Ed, as well as numerous other courses. She was a well-loved high school teacher for 16 years for the London Board of Education, teaching mostly English and French but covering any subject area as needed. After transitioning, in 1980, to the Ministry of Education, London office, in 1986 she was promoted to the Ministry of Education at Queen’s Park Toronto, from which she retired in 1996, after serving as Director in virtually every branch. With no plans of actual retirement, Mom turned to the Atlantic Council of Canada, which later became the NATO Association of Canada, where she served as President for many years. She was also very active in the Royal Canadian Military Institute. Mom is recognized for her devotion to mentoring and furthering learning opportunities in defense strategy and international affairs. Mom absolutely loved to travel and learn new things, as well as contribute in a meaningful way. She especially loved the times when Dad would travel with her, as they enjoyed cultures and experiences together.
Mom had an absolute passion for music. She taught herself piano, which she enjoyed all her life. She directed several choirs and sang in even more. She was devoted to the praise of God through music. She loved to sing and travel with the Cathedral Singers of Ontario, where she also made very strong friendships.
Mom had a constant desire to help with Kingdom building; working with schools, creating curriculum, giving instruction, teaching Bible school, catechism, church history, and more as needed. After retirement she travelled several times to Haiti to instruct teachers through Word and Deed.
Mom, along with Dad, was very gifted in hospitality. They delighted in making delicious meals, providing housing, giving rides and more for so many throughout all their life together.
Mom loved all her family very deeply. She was incredibly talented in sewing, knitting, needlepoint, crocheting and other crafts. All of us children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have treasured, handmade items from wedding dresses to sweaters, personalized needlepoints and soft toys.
Mom’s strong love for her entire family and church will sustain us all in the weeks and years ahead. She embodied the parable of the servant who put her wonderful talents to excellent use in serving our Lord. We are so comforted knowing that she lived at all times in the joy of her salvation and delighted in the knowledge that Our Father had a place prepared for her. To God be the glory, great things He has done.
Friends are invited to visit with the family at COVENANT REFORMED CHURCH, 265 Albion Rd, Etobicoke on Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. and at KITCHING, STEEPE & LUDWIG FUNERAL HOME, 146 Mill St. N., Waterdown on Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m. Private Interment service at Woodland Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held at COVENANT REFORMED CHURCH, 265 Albion Rd, Etobicoke on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church hall.
Memorial donations to Word and Deed Ministries would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Please sign the Tribute Wall.
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