KAMPEN, Melania Maria Van Kampen

lovingly known as Lien or Oma, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. She is reunited with her beloved husband Piet, their son John (Barbara) and grandson Scott. She will be dearly missed by her children Leo (Joanne), George (Dawn), Jerry (Corinne), Carol (Art), and Mary (Joel). Melania was the proud Oma of 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Born in Limburg, the Netherlands, Lien was the sixth of 15 children. Her father was a market gardener, while her mother ran a store that was on the main floor of their house.

Lien trained as a seamstress in the Netherlands. Her attention to detail and perfectionist character was evident in the beautiful pieces she sewed.

In her mid-twenties, Lein made a 10-day voyage across the Atlantic. She spent time with two of her brothers in Port Colborne, Ontario. There she met Piet Van Kampen. They married on January 12, 1957, and moved to a farm in Wainfleet where they farmed with Cornelius and Johannes Stoop for many years. There they raised four sons and two daughters before retiring in Port Colborne.

A devoted Catholic, Lien attended Mass daily and was an active member of several Catholic Women’s Leagues. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and family. In her later years, she enjoyed her time at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre where she attended retreats and Sunday mass. In her final years she was at St. Peter’s at Chedoke where she passed peacefully on Dec 15, 2025.

Her life will be celebrated with visitation at the Armstrong Funeral Home & Chapel, 179 Clarence Street, Port Colborne on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Vigil Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Therese of Liseux, 379 Fares Street, Port Colborne on Friday December 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. with Fr. Michael Basque as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Mount St. Joseph Cemetery, Port Colborne.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre (https://www.carmelniagara.com/).