OOSTROM, Dora Van Oostrom

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Theodora “Dora” Johanna Maria Van Oostrom (Verheul). She was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands on November 19, 1935, and was called into heaven in her 90th year, on September 21, 2025 at Strathroy Memorial General Hospital, surrounded with our love.

She is predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, the late Cornelis “Keith” Van Oostrom (September 14, 2016).

She is the cherished mother of Tony (Rosemary) Van Oostrom of Fenwick, Ontario, Judy (Brian) MacNeil of Winnipeg, MB and Sharon (Otto) Vander Werf of Strathroy, ON, loving Oma to Michael (Rachel), Colin, Daniel and Janine and recent Great-Oma to Daxton. She is godmother to John (Eliza) Verheul of Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.

She is survived by other family in the Netherlands:  one sister, Sr.Teresa (Trees) Verheul, Utrecht and two sister in-laws, Ans Verheul, De Meern, and Ria Van Oorschot (Brielle).

She is predeceased by her parents, Theodora (1975) and Johannes (1947) Verheul of Vleuten-De Meern, the Netherlands and most of her 10 brothers and sisters and their spouses:

Jan (Ans) Verheul, Ries (Joke) Verheul, Ria (Geert) Hansen, Annie (Jan) Vermeent, Corrie (Jan) Smienk, Bep (Hein) Wendel, Theo Verheul, Jos Verheul and Kees (Riet) Verheul.

On the Van Oostrom side, she is survived only by one brother in-law, Juul (Truus) Van Oostrom, De Meern, the Netherlands; and several sister in-laws:  Sjaan (Jan,) Corrie (Ton), Ina (Piet), Cisca (Gerard) Van Oostrom.

Dora will also be remembered by many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at both Trillium Village and Sprucedale Care Centre for their most excellent care of and compassion for Dora and to the staff at SMGH for helping her and the family navigate her last days. As well, thanks to special friends, in Canada: Fr. John Sharp, Helen Green, Carole Murphy, Pierina Porciello, Eunice Grieve, Deacon Henry Tomaszewski, and early friends, Ben (Matteke) Vanderbrug, Herman (Sjaan) Van Wesenbeeck and Neil (Joke) VanderSchans; and, in the Netherlands: Gerard (Joke) “Blacky” Swart and family, Leidy (Ton) Griffioen, and all friends who have given their friendship and support. We are grateful to Denning’s Funeral Home and All Saint’s Parish for very compassionate and personalized care.

Additionally, our heartfelt gratitude to those who will join us from nearby or who will participate or travel from afar. Special thanks to John Verheul (Nieuwegein, the Netherlands) for providing historical checks and Jaap Boom (Utrecht, the Netherlands) for delivering the eulogy and for representing the Dutch family who cannot attend.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at DENNING’S OF STRATHROY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday October 1, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saint’s Roman Catholic Church, Strathroy, ON with Fr. David Johnston, officiating. There will be an hour of visitation directly before the funeral mass at the church and a private graveside Interment to follow.  A luncheon reception will be provided by the CWL at the church following the mass.

The service may be viewed through the livestream on Dora’s tribute page on Denning’s website. As well, this website will have a longer obituary.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto (ground breaking brain and other aneurysm research), All Saint’s Church or a charity of your choice. Please consider a donation in lieu of flowers.

Respectfully, and with great gratitude the family request that, if you are feeling unwell, you send a card of condolence in lieu of attending.

Online condolences and donations may be left at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com. Or please address to Dora Van Oostrom sympathy, c/o Sprucedale Care Centre, 96 Kittridge Ave E, Strathroy  ON, N7G 2A8

Donations may be made to the Krembil Brain Institute at www.UHNfoundation.ca/tribute