Parcourez la nécrologie de Helena Maria ‘Lenie’
Rhebergen 2023 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
RHEBERGEN, Helena “Lenie” Maria (Vreugdenhil) left this life on March 17, 2023, with her daughters and family attending to her at her home in Cobourg, Ontario. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and “the greats”, Bonnie (Nemanja Savić) Rhebergen – Robert (Nat) Vanderwel (Dredon, Dalyn), Maria (Mark) Boulerice (Ella, Blake), John (Amy) Vanderwel (Willow, Ivy), Brooke Hall (Aubrey, Colton); Judy (Dan) Zandstra – Cameron, Madeline; Colin Rae; Kim (Paul) Triemstra – Lennea, Lewis; Christina (Troy Rhodes) Rhebergen – Isaac Koene; Patricia (Rob) Jones – Amy, Phil, Faith; by her siblings, Adrian (Trudy) Vreugdenhil, Marien (Anne) Vreugdenhil, Frank (Doris) Vreugdenhil, (Gloria Vreugdenhil), Dick (Pieta) Vreugdenhil, Gord (Marijke) Vreugdenhil, and Marie Ann (Dick) Lammers; by the Rhebergen family who welcomed her into the family; by her many nieces and nephews; and by the many others who called her «Mom» and «Gramma Lenie.» Lenie suffered the loss of her husband, Henry Rhebergen; her children, Philip Rhebergen and Baby Girl Rhebergen, and daughter-in-law Mary-Ellen Rae; her parents, Dirk Cornelius and Maria Lana (van Nieuwkerk) Vreugdenhil; and her brothers and their wives, Harry (Betty) Vreugdenhil, and John (Arlene) Vreugdenhil.
Lenie was born on August 19, 1941, in ‘s-Gravenzande, the Netherlands. In 1948, at the age of 7, she emigrated to Frankford, Ontario, with her family in the wake of the Second World War. She excelled at school, helped her mother at home, and liked to test the thin ice while skating on the canal. She enjoyed travelling with the Beach family as she watched their children and cleaned house.
Lenie was the first in the family to attend college, taking courses at Calvin College in the summer following her high school graduation. In September, at the age of 19, she returned to her hometown and started teaching at Trenton Christian School. Her pupils included younger brothers and even future brothers-in-law (not that she knew that then). Lenie had a passion for Christian education and helped establish Durham Christian High School in 1967, and Northumberland Christian School in 1978, which she continued to support for many years in ways from donating funds to sitting on the Board to making chicken noodle soup for hot lunches. She also worked as a Teacher’s Aid in the public school system for several years.
Lenie was active in her church’s young people’s activities, where she met Henry Rhebergen, whom she married on August 3, 1962, just before her 21st birthday. Shortly after they married, they bought a chicken farm in Harwood followed by a second farm in Cobourg. They ran one or both farms until their retirement in 1995.
Lenie gave birth to seven children, including a still born daughter who remained in her heart forever. Lenie and Henry were foster parents to dozens of children formally and informally, and one of those boys was loved so much he joined the family permanently. Her door was always open for anyone who needed a safe place–she literally did not lock her door till she was in her 70s.
In 1995, Lenie was awarded the YMCA Peace Medal for her work in the community. Beyond her work with the Children’s Aid Society, she procured clothing and supplies for Scott Mission (Toronto), the Seafarers (Montreal), and missions in the Dominican Republic; she volunteered with the Salvation Army lunch program and Meals on Wheels; and, most recently, focused her energy on the Cobourg Mission Thrift Store toy department.
Life was always an adventure to Lenie. She loved to travel far and near and visited 11 different countries. Her favourite reason for traveling was to see what her family was doing, witness their achievements, and join their celebrations.
Lenie was an avid reader, especially enjoying true stories and memoirs of people who overcame overwhelming circumstances. She was naturally athletic, won numerous trophies in high school track and field, and thought nothing of getting up on water skis at 50 for the first time in decades or taking her grandchildren downhill skiing. She loved watching sports—anything with a round ball, she would say. Heaven help you if she called you while a game was on, you wouldn’t get much conversation beyond the latest shot, hit, or score.
Lenie’s lifelong love for the church was expressed through her faithful service and worship. She did the work of an elder and deacon long before women were allowed to hold the offices. She appreciated the support of her mother who had said, “If any woman can do it, Lenie can.” Lenie continued to do it her whole life.
Lenie always wanted to do good and serve her Lord, and she leaves a legacy of service and love.
A visitation will be held Wednesday March 22nd at Fellowship Baptist Church, 469 Elgin Street West, Cobourg Ontario K9A 4X5, from 9:00am to 12:00pm, followed by a service at 1:00pm. Interment at Cobourg Union Cemetery immediately following the service. Friends and family are invited to Grace Christian Reformed Church following the interment for a light luncheon. Donations in memory of Lenie may be made to the Deacon’s Fund of Grace Christian Reformed Church, Cobourg (cheques made payable to Grace CRC).
2023
Décès pour la Ville:Cobourg, Province: Ontario
avis deces Helena Maria ‘Lenie’
Rhebergen 2023
nécrologie Helena Maria ‘Lenie’
Rhebergen 2023
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Helena Maria ‘Lenie’
Rhebergen 2023 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.