On March 25 mom, oma and great-oma peacefully went to her eternal reward. Born Sept. 22, 1929 in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, Helena left family to immigrate to Canada with her husband Paul Onderwater . Many Dutch friends helped this new couple start life in a new country. After the early years on a poultry farm in Antigonish NS that had sponsored them, they moved with their young first child to London ON where the other four children were born. Helena worked hard as a home maker to support her family. Her ethics of honesty and hard work were passed down to her family by role modeling. An accomplished seamstress, Helena made patterns and sewed to clothe her children and many a grateful grandchild. Her knitted mittens and socks were a favorite by many. A garden was a component of every house, even in the city, and with the gardening came a colourful array of bottled veggies, fruits, and jams. She made the best homemade tomato soup with meatballs. After her move to NS in 1990, her Brookland Street home was noted for its flower garden. Even when not feeling well, she could be found kneeling and working in the soil. Many of her friends recall the many games of Scrabble or Skippo they shared. She loved to play a few tunes on the piano and tried to pass that talent along which fortunately son Tom and grandsons Mark and Kris have assumed. Her fire for music saw many a child grabbed to dance to a beautiful tune on the radio. She loved to visit the Dutch store to buy her favourite luncheon meats or European veggies. Helena was a CWL member for years and a devout church participant. Her faith was very strong and now we entrust her into God’s hands in heaven.

Mother of Annette (Harry Daemen), Antigonish; Paul, London ON; Michele (Bill Heisler), London ON; Tom (Jen Adams), Lakefield ON; and Jeff (Nancy), London ON. Grandmother to Rachel Daemen(Jeff Drisdelle), Ottawa ON, Adrian Daemen (Terrin Kaminsky), Calgary AB, Dominic Daemen, Calgary AB; Andrea Onderwater, London ON, Stephanie Onderwater (Shaun Gibson), London ON, Robert Cuff (Amanda), Brownville ON, Vanessa Cuff (Bill Gaynor), Wainright AB, Mark Onderwater, Ottawa ON, Kris Onderwater, Montreal QC, Matthew Onderwater, London ON, Jordan Onderwater, London ON, and Melissa Onderwater, London ON. Great-oma and appreciator of Robbie’s reading skills, Daemen’s sport skills, Therese’s baking skills, Avery’s knitting skills, Claire’s doll play, and Emmerson’s cuddles. Survived by one brother Aud VanBeek in the Netherlands.

Funeral Mass at St. Andrews Church, St. Andrews on Tuesday, March 31st at 3:30 p.m. We ask that friends gather to chat and have tea after the funeral Mass at the St. Andrews Community Centre. Donations in memory may be made to charity of choice. On line condolences: www.clcurry.com.