Mom passed away this morning around 10:30 am. Dad and I were holding her hands and Aunt Wilma and Tanya were rubbing her feet. It went quick and peacefully.
We are busy working on arrangements. The visitation will be tomorrow and the funeral on Wednesday (details in the obituary below). There is comfort here as we gather together.
Mom said months ago that she was looking forward to getting to heaven, when Jesus would give her a hug and wipe away all her tears and pain. She also said the first thing she wanted to do was to jump in the river of life and wipe away all her pain and sickness.
Obituary for Tina Visscher
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of
the Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Entered her rest peacefully on
September 24, 2012, Tina Cornelia (Vanderlaan) Visscher in her 66th
year after a long journey with ovarian cancer.
Loved wife of Bert Visscher.
Loving mother of Henrietta Visscher;
Jeanette and Paul Duncan; Peter and Sandra Visscher; Tanya and Pete
Janssen; Harmony and Marco de Boer; and Marianne and Josh Byberg.
Adoring grandmother of: Dakota; Natalie
and Marika; AJ, Ella and Mina; Andrew, Robert, Anna and James;
Kelsey, Morgan and Owen; and Cohen.
Survived by siblings Sadie and Henry
Post; Wendy and William Westerik; Jean Vanderlaan; Wilma Truemner;
Mary and John Van Es; and many nieces and nephews. Daughter-in-law of Piet and Julie Visscher.
Predeceased by parents Ubel and Henny
Vanderlaan, brothers Albert and Eddy and an infant sister,
brother-in-law Paul and nephew Jeremy Truemner, mother-in-law Willy
Visscher.
Visitation will be held at Haskett
Funeral Homes, 370 William Street, Exeter, on Tuesday, September 25
from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. Funeral service on Wednesday, September 25
at 11am at Exeter Christian Reformed Church, 330 Huron Street West,
Exeter, Pastors Bob Loohuizen and John Baker of Exeter Pentecostal
Church officiating. Interment at Exeter Cemetery; luncheon to follow
at Exeter Christian Reformed Church.
Donations to Canadian Cancer Society,
Fellowship of Christian Farmers, or the charity of your choice.
Tina loved gardening and photographing
birds. Her computer is full of photos she took of her beautiful
flower gardens and close-ups of many birds. She enjoyed and marveled
in God’s creation, and above all, she loved God. She worked
faithfully in the family business, Visscher Farms, as office manager
and bookkeeper, and raised six kids. She cooked dinner every night.
In her younger years she played the organ at church. She was active
in the Missions committee at her church, and went on many mission
trips. She delighted in her grand kids, and especially loved giving
them jelly beans. Her sense of fun was evident throughout her life,
in particular when she did clowning to entertain kids. She was a good
listener, and often encouraged other people. Throughout her four-year
journey with cancer, she clung to Jesus and persisted in her faith,
and was an example to many people. She will be greatly missed by her
friends and family, but we release her to the care of Jesus in
heaven.
Sending tons of love and support to your entire family, Tina has left her mark on many, many people. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you have made together.
ReplyDeleteLove Kathleen Thomson (Amerongen) and family
♥
You're all in my thoughts during such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteKim Toonk
I was sorry to read about Tina's passing. It's been a long time since I worked for Visscher Farms, but those years I spent weeding, working a hoe, tying up cauliflower with elastics and then harvesting cauliflower based on the colour of the elastic(What colour are we cutting today, Bert?) were years I remember fondly and think back to often.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot on the farm, not the least of which was how hard Bert and Tina were capable of working. Some of that may have rubbed off over the years. And don't think we did not notice Tina. For one, we got our checks from her! But she also was a model of a strong, Christian business woman and 30 years ago in Huron County that was perhaps a less common thing. So, she was an uncommon woman in the best senses of the term.
Bert and the kids will be in my thoughts and prayers here in the coming days. I hope you will find many moments during visitation and then during the service to gather together around your common faith and the uncommon memories of your mother. Blessings,
Phil de Haan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
so bittersweet the news. We are thankful her suffering is over, yet we grieve for those who will keenly feel her absence on earth. She was a treasure. I thought about you all over the weekend. Peace and strength to you. With much love, Sara Pot for the Pot family.
ReplyDeleteMy mom called me this morning to let me know the news. I have been following the blog over the last months and have been thankful to follow the journey. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this time. Distance prevents me from coming out for the funeral but I know it will be a celebration of Tina's life. Although she is now at peace and pain free, I know you will miss her dearly. We pray for your strength and good memories in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteMary & Ed De Boer (Ryan and Evan & Jelena)
My love and prayers are with you all during this time of grieving. May the Lord's comfort and peace be with you all. I loved Tina, she was a role model for how a Christian woman with good character should be! Many times did she welcome me into her home to hang out with Tanya and the other girls :) I loved her Sunday after church soup! She was always encouraging, wisdom and integrity are two words that come to mind when I think of Tina.
ReplyDeletewith all my love and sympathy,
Sheri-Lynn Keller-Apthorp
Pastor Carl & Clarice Stratton.
ReplyDeleteTo Bert & family we were sorry to hear of Tina.s passing but we know that she is in a better world. Her pain and sufferings are over, now she has entered into perfect Rest. We remember her well in the time we spent there as interim Pastors. We offer our sympathies to you and may God grant his peace in your time of loss.
Remembering all of the family in prayer at this time. Sad to say we will not be able to be there for the funeral as I am working until 9 am Wednesday morning and cannot get the time off. We love you Tina and will miss you and your amazing sense of humor, compassion and love for everyone.
ReplyDeleteBert, Jim and I pray God's comfort and strength for you, your family and friends.
Psalm 116:15 (Passion Translation)
When one of God's holy lovers dies,
It is costly to the Lord,touching His heart.
Love and prayers
Brenda and Jim Tuxford
LaSalle, ON
as mentioned before, Tina's passing is bitter sweet. We know that she is no longer in pain and is with her Lord. But she was an angel here on earth. She has always held a special spot in my heart, even though we have been out of touch. My condonlences to Bert and family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteJanet Szusz and Alex Irvine.
Frank and I are praying for the family....much love, Frank and Tracey Chadwick.
ReplyDeletewe the hovvius family like to express our sincere condolences to a wonderful cousin and christian woman....may you rest in gods presence and peace...good to know your suffering is now over...strenght to bert and the whole family as well as the sisters and brother in laws over the next while...it was a long battle that you so graciously went through tina and your faith never failed you..lots of love and hugs to all...andy and effie kuipers and brothers and sisters
ReplyDeleteAll my sympathies for your beautiful family
ReplyDeleteMy visits home are among the most beautiful experiences of my life, and I liked a lot Tina. She breathed joy of living She was still radiant. When I had the opportunity to go see a service, or church, or at a BBQ activity, it was like a treat for me.
You are all always in my thoughts, you have touched my life.
I am glad that Tina be in eternal rest. God bless your family!
Tim
You have our prayers and love during these times when you will miss her. This is a lovely tribute of her life and joys. I am sure you also celebrate that she is "home" and pain free. God bless! Gary and Anita Nafziger.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed any moment that I have had the pleasure of making with tina... whether jumping on the trampoline or smores out back...he amazing help and committment to the church and to Jesus Christ in church. Tina was a person that i dont think i have ever seen angry. I dont think i could even picture her angry... she was an all around joyful and happy person. Just delightling in everything God has for her. A beautiful woman of God... a child of the one true and most high King. Myself Chrissy Enthammer and my family Harry Vanwieren, Ken and Doreen fraser and brothers send our greatest condolences to your wonderful family. I pray God lifts you up and that he gives you peace and strength. Blessings and love are being sent your way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary lady. May the God of all Comfort be very near to you all.
ReplyDeleteLove, Tim & Monica Doherty