Helena Adriana Schipper went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the age of 82.
Helena was born on June 23, 1934 in the Hague, Netherlands, to Anton and Antje (van Vliet) van Oostende. Helena went to nursing school in Rotterdam. As a nurse she loved her time in the maternity ward. In the mid-1950s Helena immigrated to America, making her way to Bellflower, California. While on the boat, she won a Scrabble contest even though English was her second language.
Through mutual friends, Helena met Hendrik Schipper and they were married on March 16, 1967 in Ontario, California. Henk and Helena had two sons, Art and Aldo, and in 1978 the family moved to Lynden. In the same year, Helena started her career at the Christian Health Care Center; she retired in 1999.
Helena loved reading her Bible and sending cards to church members remembering special occasions. She enjoyed knitting, gardening and collecting anything to do with sheep. She was known for being loving and caring, generous and hospitable, for always having a good cup of coffee with a cookie ready.
Helena was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Henk; twin brother Tony van Oostende; and sisters Mieke Drok and Ank Weeda.
She is survived by sons Art (Patricia) of Omak and Aldo of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Abigail and Jacob; sister Christina Harrewyn; and brother Hugo (Laura) van Oostende.
A time of visitation was on Thursday, March 30, at Gillies Funeral Home. The memorial service was at 2 p.m. Friday, March 31, in Second Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Ben deRegt officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Whatcom Hospice, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham, WA 98225.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
