On the morning of September 3, 2022 Lydia de Schepper passed away at the age of 85 at home. Lydia had just celebrated her 62nd wedding anniversary with her husband, Roland the previous day. In addition to Roland, Lydia is also survived by her sons, Clifford (Maki) and Brian (Lisa), and her four grandchildren, Peter (Meghan), Mitchell (Alisa), Desmond and Lucas.
Lydia was born the oldest of 5 siblings and raised in Haarlem, Holland; she survived the hardships of WW2 in her early childhood. She adored her father who tragically passed away when she was just 17 years old creating a wound that would stay with her, her entire life. Lydia met Roland in 1952 and immigrated to Canada in 1960. Lydia and Roland started their life together in Canada living in the Pit Polder (near Pitt Meadows, BC), prior to living in North Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast before eventually moving near Victoria, BC where she has resided over the last 33 years.
Lydia loved children, which was a large part of why she chose to become a special-needs, early childhood educator. Helping special needs children was one of the many unique gifts that Lydia shared with the world. She positively impacted hundreds of children throughout her career. She also had a love for music, often playing her autoharp which perfectly complimented her work with children. A cross-stitch expert she won various prizes and accolades for the many pieces she created. Throughout her entire life she loved to travel and see the world; in particular she made many trips back to her homeland always keeping in touch with family and friends. She was a great cook and loved to entertain friends and family at her legendary dinner parties. In more recent years she developed a strong bond with all of her grandchildren.
Lydia’s incredible positive energy left a lasting impression. Her passing leaves a void to everyone who knew her; her radiating smile will be missed by all.
A Celebration of Lydia’s life was held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens on Monday September 19th, 2022 at 10:00am. Click the image below to watch a recording of the service.
Click the image below to watch a video tribute of Lydia.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Yvonne Castien-Immer
-
Rianne Teeuwen When we immigrated to Canada, we got to know Roland and Lydia through Lydia’s dear friend Jes.
Roland and Lydia opened up their home to us and we felt very welcome. When our boys were still young Lydia was as a grandmother to them. We had several visits and always Roland and Lydia made sure we had a good time. We live in Kelowna and were happy to be able to host them one time.
She was a very special lady with a big heart and a beautiful smile. She will be missed dearly.
We wish Roland and the rest of the family all the love and support to go through this difficult time.
Paul and Rianne, Tim and Jeroen
-
Laurel Westinghouse Thank you Lydia for your bright, creative spark of energy, your smile is contagious, in life and in pictures. Your absence has a tremendous impact to your grandsons, they were not prepared to be without their Oma, though you will continue to be in their hearts and minds.
My condolences to Lydia’s wide circle of family and friends, she will be dearly missed.
Today’s service in her honour was beautiful, the photo presentation so moving, thank you for livestreaming and recording it for those who could not attend today in person.
With care,
Laurel (Desmond and Lucas’s mom)
-
Han &Corinne Akersloot Dear Roland, Brian, Cliff and family,
It certainly was a sad message to understand that our niece Lydia has past away.
As a very young boy I remember her in the years 1950 onwards, as a very happy oldest daughter of the Immer family (her mother was one of the sisters of my father Tijn) and my mother Truus was certainly very fond of Lydia.! I can still imagine how often she liked to come to the Cafe on the Koudehorn/Spaarne in Haarlem, to play music on our piano and to make dances with the friends and family. Of course she was in those years frequently with our grandmother in the house on the Hooimarkt…..to play on that beautiful piano. My 3year old brother Tijn always had fun with Lydia, and we always talked about our sports like hockey/baseball and friends of Bloemendaal football, of which her father was the coach.! About 6/7 years ago we decided that we should make an exchange of our houses and Lydia and Roland lived 4 weeks in our house in Aerdenhout and we enjoyed very much our trip to Canada, Vancouver Island in their house….fantastic.!
Our condolences our also from our son Nicolaas, Marissa and Muriel. But also from brother Tijn and Anneke.
To Roland our best wishes for a future without our beloved Lydia.
Han and Corinne
-
Gon van Tienhoven Lieve familie van Lydia zulke mooie lieve en leuke herinnering aan haar , omdat ik het kleine zusje van Jes ben en zij Lydia en Jes wel op mijn zus Truus en broers Adriaan en Hans moesten passen.
Er werden dan altijd leuke dingen bedacht om te doen zoals een wandeling in de waterlijding duinen en vele andere activiteiten ,als zij Holland bezocht was wist zij het altijd zo te regelen dat er een moment haar te zien ,
Mijn gemeende condoleance voor haar Familie hier in Nederland en ook de familie in Canada
-
Nelly Van Egmond What sad news it was when we heard that Lydia had passed away. So hard to believe.
I met Lydia in 1974 when she was my daughter’s preschool teacher but we had already heard about each other through friends in Holland.
I will cherish all the special moments we have shared. All the fun we have had playing tennis, skiing Mount Seymour, and our Stitch and Bitch meetings.
We explored the Sunshine Coast and later Vancouver Island when Roland and Lydia had moved there.
I will miss her stories, her enthusiasm, and her sense of humor. She always cared how my family was doing and remembered every little detail of our get togethers.
Rest In Peace Lydia, you will never be forgotten.
Our condolences to Roland, Clifford, Brian and families.
-
Joyce Jones, formerly Sutherland I got to know Lydia when I first got married in 1973. Cliff and Bryan were young boys at that time. Lydia and Roland were always hospitable and we enjoyed their friendship. We kept in touch when my husband’s employer sent him to work in Kitchener, Ontario and Lydia even came to visit us there. I was invited by Lydia after the break-up of my family and my husband’s moving back to Holland. I just had had appendicitis and Lydia took good care of me, even though she had back issues herself. It was as if we had never been away from each other and her comforting words meant a lot to me. After the death of my husband in Holland, I moved back from Kitchener to Victoria and although Lydia and I did not see each other that much any more, we kept in contact with the occasional visit and email. I have always enjoyed Lydia’s friendship, her cooking and stories, sometimes accompanied by her autoharp, her cross stitch masterpieces and quilts. I am so sorry, Roland, Clifford and Bryan and your families for your loss, but I have faith in the promise at Acts 24:15 that there is going to be a resurrection and we will be able to see her again right here on earth (Psalm 37:11 and 29).
-
Jeanine Lindeman Dear family and friends of Lydia,
My sincerest condolances to all who knew and loved Lydia. What a loss… Lydia brightened the world with her generous smile, her positive take on life, the stories she told, her sincere interest in other people, her warm personality.
She will be missed dearly.Wishing you all strength and love. Lydia’s energy will be with you always.
Lieve Lydia, rust zacht, mooi lief mens. En zoek je ons af en toe op in onze dromen?
-
Eva We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Thinking of you all,
Eva and Rob
-
Dr Gordon Henderson My wife Lorna and I were so sad to hear of Lydia’s passing.
She was such a bright spark and full of life.
We remember fondly the times she would have our youngest son along with her grandson Mitchell for the day when they were children, occupying them with art and general fun.
She will be truly missed.
-
Julie Lindeman Dear Roland, Cliff, Maki, Brian and Lisa and the four grandchildren.
Lydia was my oldest and dearest friend and we knew each other from our childhood. Our parents were close friends and we saw each other every week. Lydia and I went to Switzerland for a few komt is. For years we kept in touch and Lydia and I went to Berlin for holidays and also to Vienna. She stand with me for 1 Kunt. We always had a lot of fun and I treasure our beautiful moments. I have some pieces from all the hand made works she made like the quilt
for Christmas and the lovely blanket for my granddaughter’s birthday. Lieve, lieve vriendin ik koester alle fantastische momenten en zal je gulle lach enorm missen. (Dear, dear friend, I cherish all the fantastic moments and will miss your generous smile so much.) See you in my dreams.
-
Leslie Campioni Dearest Uncle Roland,Cliff,Brian and Family….
I’m so thankful I got to connect with her,these past few years.She basically looked the same as from when I was a little girl.You aswell,Uncle Roland.
I loved her stories about my Mom and Dad.Her stories of us kids,when we were little.She was always a special lady to Rick and I.I will always be thankful for her being apart of my life.In the early years and then in these past few years,when we reconnected.
All my Love,Leslie Campioni
-
Marnie Lydia will always be in my memory alive with mischief, sparkling eyes and a smile that lit the room.
I dated her “Cleeefford” as a teenager- he brought me home to meet his Mom. Lydia was a teacher’s aide in Gibsons and was so full of excitement for working with children. She showed me art projects, her needle points, family photos. I was instantly accepted and remember warm hugs and her sincere interest in my life.
I treasured those visits when she made special hot chocolate for us “girls” in tiny china cups with small silver spoons. It was an event!
One summer she decided to swim from Keats Island to Gibsons harbour. Cliff was doing the swim too and I somehow got roped into being the coach boat for them. She was amazing!
I am so sorry that the world has lost someone as special as Lydia, but know that her unique stamp has been pressed on many, many hearts.
-
Louise Langman So sorry to hear about the passing of such a lovely lady and a sorority sister. She always had a smile for me whenever we met. Go in peace.
-
Jill Combs My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. The loss of Lydia will leave a great void in all of the lives she touched.
-
Caroline de kroes My condolences to Roland, Brian, Clifford and their families.
Dear Lydia,
Without you the world is a different place.
See you in my dreams!Love, Caroline
-
Jes de Kroes van Tienhoven When I was 14 years old Lydia and I met at school, later on followed the same education.
The teachers wouldn’t let us sit next to each other, we had to much fun and liked to play pranks.
We had a wonderful time, dance lessons, boyfriends, parties, we shared joys and sorrows.It was a hard time for Lydia and her family when her father passed away.
When Roland went to Canada Lydia followed later, together they worked hard for their future.
Children were born. I admire the way they made it work. Her perseverance, positive an cheerful character
surrounded them with lots of warmth. Aat and I, and later Caroline and I, experienced that when we visited
Roland and Lydia in Canada, she went above and beyond to make her guests and friends feel at home.Always creative, living life to the fullest. Didn’t complain about her always aching back.
She was happy with her family, her sons, their partners and her grandchildren.Lately Lydia was completely dependent on Roland.
Luckily she has now been spared further suffering.My deepest condolences to her loved ones.
Dag Lieverd,
Wat zal je worden gemist.
Maar niemand kan ons de goede herinneringen afnemen.Rust zacht.
Je Jesje
-
Caroline de Kroes Lydia was the oldest friend of my mother, Jes van Tienhoven. When I was a little girl she was my mothers friend: “Tante Lydia from Canada”. I loved it when she came to visit us when she was in Holland. She was great fun to play with and told me the most amazing stories.
When I was in my twenties mu mother Jes and I visited Lydia and Roland in their beautiful home near Victoria. She took such good care of us, we had a wonderful week. my deepest condolences to Roland, Brian and Clifford. I wish them the strength to cope with this massive loss!
Always when lydia said goodbye to me her words were:
“See you in my dreams”
I will always remember that, I will always remember her.
-
Marti Harbrink,Jan Harbrink Lydia and Roland have been our best friends since we met in North Vancouver in 1962.As recent immigrants from the Netherlands we had many similar interests and experiences in those first starter years. As our families grew, we celebrated many happy occasions and mourned lost members as well. All these years, with Lydia always the upbeat fun-loving lady, even though she was often in considerable pain due to her back issues. And wow, her dinner parties were always a treat. She will be missed, our tough, loving, funny friend. We wish Roland and all his boys strength and comfort in the fact that she was very proud and so in love with all of them…………”. Als leven lijden wordt, is rusten goed.”
-
Catherine Keeling Lydia was a beautiful member of my sorority Gamma Eta Master. When I joined this chapter 6 years ago, Lydia made me feel very special and welcomed me to the group. She was a special lady who took a sincere interest in everyone she met.
The chapter will really miss her and her beautiful smile. Our love and support go out to Roland and family .
-
Gerard Bosma Ik kende Lydia al sinds 1954 zij behoorde bij ons clubje van vier vrienden en 4 vriendinnen zij ging Roland ,mijn beste vriend, achterna naar Canada. Pauline en ik hebben Roland en Lydia diverse malen ontmoet en bij elkaar gelogeerd eenmaal bij ons bezoek in Canada en meerdere malen in Nederland en België. De laatste jaren was het contact meer per Email.We zullen Lydia’s babbel missen. Sterkte toegewenst Roland en Kinderen van Gerard (Gait voor Lydia).
-
Dan and Ellen Kirking A beautiful photo and tribute to this lovely lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
-
Jantien Bongenaar I met Lydia in Holland when she visited her sister Pien. I rememder her as a positive woman, a lot of humor and interested in other people. It was nice to meet her.
Iwish you all a beautifull day , to honor her on 19 september in Canada as well as in Holland.Jantien ( friend from Pien)
-
Megan Wilson I believe I met Lydia in the summer of 1983 when travelling with a friend to France. Lydia happened to be on the same flight and recognized my friend as one of her son’s high school teachers. She invited us to stay at her Haarlem home before we continued travel to Bretagne. The following school year, Lydia and I ended up teaching at the same elementary school, cementing our friendship. Lydia is as to me dear as my sisters and my aunts; she will be deeply missed, and remembered always.
Thanks for the livestream from Lydia”s ceremony. It was very impressing and the pictures wonderful. It brought back many good memories. . I will always remember my eldest sister and her stories. Love to you all from Yvonne, Peter, Pieter, Daan en George.