Wilhemina (Wilma) Helena (Heyink) De Boer passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the age of 85 at her home in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. She will be greatly missed as a sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Wilma is survived by her sister Riekie (Rita) DeVries, her husband Carl, her four children, Jacquie, Rey, John and Lydia, and her ten grandchildren, Lauren, Meguho, Rachael, Caitlin, Tatsuki, Tyler, Yuto, Jimena, Chris, and Martina.

Wilma was born on September 7, 1938, in Aalten (the Netherlands) to Aleida Hermina (Prinsen) Heyink and Jan Gerrit Heyink. She emigrated to Canada in 1949, with her family, and settled in Goderich, Ontario, where she worked hard helping on the family farm.

From the start, Wilma was a determined woman who never let go of her dream to graduate from high school and attend college. She loved reading and studying and worked day and night to support the family as she completed her high school education, attended Calvin College in Michigan, and ultimately taught elementary at John Knox Christian School.

Wilma married Carl De Boer on June 29, 1963. Their life together took them to many corners of the world, including thirty-three years in Japan and seven in Holland, where they served God as missionaries. Wilma touched the lives of an untold number of people in her distinctly quiet, loving, non-judgmental, and enduring way. She continues to inspire and will be sorely missed.



Visitation will be on November 3, between 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Meadowvale Funeral Centre on 7732 Mavis Road, Brampton, ON.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on November 4, between 11:00 am to 2:30 pm at Bramalea Baptist Church at 9050 Dixie Road, Brampton, ON.