KWAKMAN, Helena Leny Johanna De Jongh nee Kwakman

How does one write a final message about a loved one so others can understand how special they were. You ponder all the special times but come to discover that there’s too much you would like to say. This is our version of our love for Leny.
Leny was 95 years young, loving Mama to Ingrid (Steve) and Oma to Quinn and Paige. She fought courageously, eventually losing her battle to cancer. She was a feisty, determined, and outspoken lady who shared many words of wisdom.
Leny was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, into a large family. After the war, she immigrated to Canada and married John De Jongh (2020) who had immigrated shortly before. They were married for 62 years. Even though she appreciated all that Canada allowed her to achieve, she missed her life in The Netherlands, especially her family.
Leny loved her grandchildren, her animals – especially her cat Raz, gardening, and classical music. She cooked like no other and her baking was the best. On many occasions, her grandchildren would run to Oma and Opa’s house citing that Oma’s cooking was better than that of their mother’s. Leny was well known for her love of flowers, ensuring there were always flowers and plants in her house. She lived the dutch way in Canada.

Leny had a remarkably close relationship with her daughter. They would have many conversations about anything and everything. This was especially so when Ingrid tended to her mother’s needs during her last year of struggle. Many tears were shed between the two but there was never a time where their love for each other wained.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the health care team who helped Leny during her illness, especially the SE Health team -Joanne, Anne-Marie, Ceres and Marina. Thank you for your help with Leny’s care, heartfelt talks, and support.

To the Bayshore Nursing team – Mel, Kaitlyn, Alison, and others overlooked, your attention to Leny’s care was impeccable. To the Local Health Intergration Network – North Simcoe Muskoka – thank you Mel Purdy for ensuring that everything was in order and making Mama laugh. To Nurse Practitioner Lisa Mikhail who held Leny’s hand and encouraged her, for holding my hand and hugs during the challenging times, words cannot express how much it meant to both of us.

To Campbell House, your care, compassion, and support made our family feel that we had done the right thing for Leny. It also allowed me to be with Mama as her daughter and not as the care giver during her final moment.

Veel liefs en kusjes Mama en Oma. Nu is het tijd om te lachen.

Donations in Leny’s memory can be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation – Campbell House or Georgian Triangle Humane Society.