Shirley Eke Van Wieren

March 23, 1926 - April 26, 2022
Mom/Oma passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 with her children by her side. Mom passed away at the young age of 96 with a current driver's license and still living on her own, completely and independently.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Tim (Julie), John (Roxanne), Margaret, Joanne (Jim) and Sherry (Rick); 11 grandchildren: Kris, Karey, Jaclyn, Brent, Joshua, Scott, Katie, Hayley, Nina, Brian and Curtis along with ten great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving husband Ken Van Wieren (1973).
Shirley Eke Van Wieren was born in Sneek, Netherlands on March 23, 1926. In 1952 mom and her husband, Ken, decided to move to Canada with their first child on the way and settled in Edmonton, AB. In June of 1967, the family now grown to 7, made their way to Duncan, where mom lived for the next 55 years of her life.
Mom was a lover of life and she lived it to the fullest! She traveled the world with countless trips to Holland to visit all her family and many friends. Her most favourite destination was Hawaii though! Mom gave us kids the same travel bug!!
Mom and dad loved to camp and as a result we all do too. Oh the countless and wonderful adventures we had. The animals in the neighbourhood would all come visit our house because they knew that there were always a goodie cupboard filled with treats to be had. Mom had a very special way with animals. Where ever she went, they always gravitated towards her. They loved her.
Mom was an incredibly talented seamstress. She learned her trade in Bolsward, Netherlands. Due to World War II, mom was so close to getting her certification but unfortunately the school had to close. Mom had already been a very talented seamstress so it really didn't matter. Her legacy lives on through the valley with her beautiful draperies hanging in windows everywhere. Not to mention that mom made curtains for the entire Cowichan District Hospital, not once, but twice!!! Mom not only sewed drapes, she also worked at the Cowichan District Hospital in the Laundry Department for 10 years, then transferred to housekeeping until she retired at 65.
Mom would work full shifts at the hospital, come home after a hard day's work, take a 20 minute nap and downstairs she would go to sew into the night. Mom had no choice but to work two jobs after dad passed away in 1973. Leaving her with five children to provide for, she had to. She was very successful, in fact so successful that it gave her the opportunity to travel. She would rather travel than put a new roof on the house!! Mom finally retired from sewing when she was 90 years of age.
Mom loved to play crib and cards with her friends. She loved her car, loved to drive, loved to go to Victoria and the Dutch Bakery, lekkar. Mom enjoyed the week night game shows, mostly between 7-8 p.m. so you never would want to call between those times. Mom really enjoyed watching Dr. Pol (him being dutch helped) and also loved the TV shows that would be about cute animals.
Mom also kept herself busy with puzzles, reading, crocheting countless afghans for everyone ie: babies in the hospital, folks in extended care and people that mentioned they loved her afghans she would make them one!!! Mom and her big heart!!
Our hearts are heavy but our mom is now at peace.
A Celebration of Life of Life for mom will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Sands Funeral Chapel - Duncan, 187 Trunk Road, Duncan BC. Memorial donations in honour of Shirley may be made to an animal charity of own choice.