On Saturday, November 27, 2021, Frieda Timmers passed away at Fairfield Park Long Term Care residence in Wallaceburg, Ontario after a short illness. She is predeceased (in 2007) by her beloved husband Bert. Frieda was born in Helmond, Netherlands one of 14 children. She is predeceased by brothers Jan, Frans, Hein, Frits, Chris and Ton and sisters Maria, Betsy, Ria, Nelly and Gerda. Surviving are sister Fien and brother Huub. She is also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Karen (nee Coppens). Frieda is survived by son Henricus, daughter Mariann, grandson Andrew, granddaughter Katie and her husband Kent, and six great grandchildren. Frieda, Bert and children immigrated to London, Ontario in 1963 when the Canadian government was searching for desperately needed tradesmen. She cleaned houses while taking English courses and then earned her high school equivalency. She loved learning and continued to take courses throughout her life. She also loved to volunteer. Having been in the Girl Guides in the Netherlands, she ran a Brownie group in London for years, before the family moved. In Chatham, she was a member of the Kent Industrial Training Advisory Committee and the Pines Mothers’ Club, among other things and she served as Reeve of Wardsville from 1988 to 1994. In 1999 Frieda was invited to join the Rotary Club of Glencoe where she served terms as President and Secretary and volunteered at bingos and other club events, until the club closed its doors in 2016. She and her daughter were regulars at district events and enjoyed travelling around the district to visit other Rotary Clubs. Frieda found a special joy and comfort in her later years from the close bond she had with granddaughter Katie and “grandson” Kent and she so enjoyed spending time with great grandchildren Danielle, Luke, Alex and Amanda and watching them grow. Frieda also had a knack for finding people who were missing or far from their families and “adopting” them into hers. She leaves behind special friends Yvon Trepanier, Glenn Wilson and Jessica Morrow. All the fun dinners, laughing, joking, playing cards, made her so happy. And lastly, she will be missed by Charles Herbert. For years he was her helper, for garden, Christmas decorations (and she loved Christmas!!!), odd jobs and repairs and chauffeur. He was often mistaken by people as her grandson. He could never drive her past a McDonalds drive thru without stopping in for a soft ice-cream. Over the last five years, Frieda lived at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people who work there. You didn’t just take care of her, you cared for her. It has been a comfort to the family through the years and especially through the COVID pandemic, that we knew that we could entrust her into your care. You dealt with all her health problems and kept her safe and happy and that meant the world to us. Frieda didn’t make the 100 mark that she was aiming for, but not for lack of trying. She had many hardships and pain in her life, but also many successes and joys. A strong will and a fierce determination saw her through almost 91 years in a full life. We celebrate that as we say goodbye. Funeral Service will be held on Friday December 3, 2021 at 12 noon at the Van Heck Funeral Home, 172 Symes Street, Glencoe. Due to COVID restrictions, attendance is limited. Only those with an appointment will be allowed in. Pre-registration is required for EVERYONE. Masks and social distancing from the family and those around them is also required. Family interment will be held at Woodland Cemetery, London. Memorial donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation or Resident’s Council of Fairfield Park by forwarding to the funeral home.
