Obituary Overview
Sophia Warmels
Warmels
Sophia (née Zwart) Warmels passed from this life peacefully and with
dignity on Sept. 5th, 2018, making full use of her 96+ years. She is
known to family and friends as Fieke (Feeka). Born in the Netherlands to a prosperous
business family with 3 siblings, Sophia survived multiple hardships and
tragedies before and during WWII.
As a pharmacist in her early 20’s, she left to work in Indonesia for 2,
three year terms. It was in her 2nd term when she met her husband of
over 40 years Willem(Wim). Although they lived a privileged life in Indonesia
with their twins Susan and Peter (1955), they fled Indonesia during its political
strife in 1957. Soon after their return to the Netherlands, Sophia had her 3rd child Willem(Bill)!
In 1959 Sophia spearheaded their move to Canada in the hopes of greater opportunities for the family. She became a research assistant/technician within the Department of
Pharmacology at Western University until her retirement. To her delight their 4th
child Winifred(Win) arrived in 1960. It was Sophia’s inheritance that enabled their family to acquire a new home in
Kilworth where their 4 children were raised with priorities of higher education and enjoyment of the outdoors.
She and her husband traveled extensively and sailed through the Great Lakes. After her
husband’s death in 1995 she continued to travel but missed him greatly everyday.
Sophia also suffered the untimely loss of her daughter Susan in 2013.
In her retirement, Sophia was a hospice volunteer from 1999-2006. One of
her placements was with Mount Hope. In November 2013 at 91, she became a
resident there. Our family is grateful for all the care Mount Hope provided for
almost 5 years, especially to the staff on St Marys, 5th floor.
Sophia was a proud and devoted matriarch and wife who celebrated her 4
children Susan, Peter(Margaret), Bill(Liliane), Win(Nick), 9 grandchildren
Jacob(Claire), Timothy(Lauren), Katharine(Rebecca), Elysse(Billy), Alexander(Sarah),
Grace, Laurenne(Robert), Claire, Evaline and 4 great grandchildren Emma,
Jeffrey, Wesley and Finnley!
Sophia was admired for her independence and grit through life’s
struggles and tragedies. She began writing in her 70’s and 80’s. She never
stopped wanting to learn; going to lectures, taking courses, enjoying live
theatre and meeting new and old friends. Each day she found new hope. For her generation, she was ahead of her time.
Friends and family are welcome to celebrate her life
On September 21st at 1pm there will be a funeral service/liturgy at St Peter’s Basilica in London, followed by a gathering at the residence of 14599 Eight Mile Road at 2:30 p.m.
Afterwards there will be a private internment.
Donations are appreciated and may be made to St Josephs Hospice of London.
www.sjhospicelondon.com/index.cfm?i=12013
BWHF
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Sophia Warmels 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: London, Province: Ontario
