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Sara Josina Van Dam nee Mulder (Second eldest, daughter of Johannes Martinus and Ana Cornelia Mulder - nee Spaander) of Tiverton, passed away peacefully in her home on July 22, 2021 in her 103rd year.
Beloved wife of the late Willem Van Dam, who predeceased her on May 28, 2011.
Dear mother of: Martin Van Dam (Pat Zehr) of Waterloo; William Van Dam of Inverhuron, and Harry Van Dam (Jane) of Kincardine.
Cherished Grandmother of James (Lisa) Van Dam of Victoria BC; David Van Dam (Jodi) of Guelph; Steven Van Dam (Christine) of Guelph Anna Stafford of Nova Scotia; Kimberly (Dan) Plante of Saskatchewan;
Jill (Ryan) Fraser of Kincardine; Heather Van Dam of Kincardine.
Great Grandmother of Jacob and Sarah; Noah and Luke; Jack, Charlie and Max; Sara, Pauline, Bryan, Keianna and Josina; Genevieve and Adriel; Briley and Myles; and Mya.
Predeceased by her 3 brothers: David, Adriaan, Dick Mulder and her 3 sisters: Nel (Schuyt), Cornelia (Bonker) and Janneke (Van Midden)
Sara was born in Zaandam (Netherlands) on March 8, 1919. She married Willem Van Dam in 1944 and emigrated to Canada in 1954 with their 3 children. Emigrating to Canada was difficult at that time as she thought that she would never see her immediate family again. After residing in Etobicoke for several weeks, the family moved to Walkerton in time to experience Hurricane Hazel.
Sara, self-educated herself in English from reading and spelling books from her children and worked as a secretary for several automotive dealerships and finally as secretary to the Head Health Nurse of the Walkerton Health Unit. In 1970 they moved to Inverhuron, while commuting to work in Walkerton. Winters were more severe, and the road to their home in Inverhuron was not plowed. When driving through the deepening snow became impossible, they walked the 2 km to their home, bringing their food and water on a sled.
Sara enjoyed sewing, embroidery and petit point making many fine pieces of artwork during her lifetime.
She was fanatical about her physical well-being; the exercise, swimming classes and walking groups. When the Park in Florida was without an activity director, she filled in and led the swimming classes and exercise groups until they stopped going to Florida and she was 90 years of age. When back at Inverhuron, she started the walking groups, which turned into a social events, at the beach store with coffee before returning back home.
Sara moved into Tiverton Park Manor in 2009 and made many good friends. She died peacefully with her family and friends at her bedside. A private family interment will be held. She will be sadly missed.
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Joyce was a warm loving person who enjoyed life to the fullest. Her smile a mile wide and for ever grateful for anything you did for her. I was lucky to have had the pleasure of knowing her most of my life. God certainly has pick a very deserving angel. You will be missed. Rest in peace.
Condolences Harry and Jane ,Jill and Heather and to the rest of the Vandam familys on the passing of your mom, grandmother and greatgrandmother .I enjoyed reading about her life and accomplicments she made.May the memories you have bring you peace at this difficult time .RIP Mrs.Vandam
We wish to express our deepest condolences to the entire Van Dam family. Joyce really was an inspiration to all especially to my mom Julia. Mom loved chatting with Joyce about Holland and admired her for her intelligence and determination with solving puzzles.
One of my fondest memories was arriving at Tiverton Park Manor and finding Joyce sitting peacefully out front in the sun enjoying a good book. Her friendly smile and kindness will be dearly missed.
Our Heartfelt Condolences to All of the Family on your Loss. I have memories of when your Family moved to Inverhuron and Joyce was always involved in the community. Our thoughts are with you all at this time and we know she will be missed. Sincerely Ron and Joyce
Joyce's family won't know me at all, but I am just one of Tiverton old ladies who appreciated Joyce. I now live in Wpg and am planning a trip home in Sept. How disappointmented I was to read her obit. I am planning on spending time in Park Manor and and making a list of who I wanted to visit. Joyce won't be one of them now. I didn't recognize the name Saar Van Dam and just read to see if she might be related. She has had a very interesting full life.
Please accept my sincere sympathy on your loss. I pray that God will be your source of peace and strength, and comfort today and always.
On behalf of the family of the late Norman and Elma Dryden, we would like to express our deepest sympathy on the passing of such a beautiful, kind soul. Your parents were so welcoming to our parents when they moved next door at Tiverton Park Manor. They were quick friends and we enjoyed many visits.
Joyce and Bill were wonderful friends to my parents, John and Carol Bell both in Walkerton and Inverhuron. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harry, Mart and Bill. We have many great memories of the two families enjoying visits over many years. Joyce was always an inspiration to all in our family.
We are so grateful to have enjoyed the friendship of Joyce VanDam across many years (decades) of our family summer vacation visits to Inverhuron. Our homes shared a property line that led to a closeness that grew deeper from year to year. While this is surely a time of sadness at her loss, there is also a great joy that her journey here has released her into an eternity of happy reunion with her loved ones, and an abundance of new adventures - some of them bicycle rides with Willem - and all the rest. My heart goes out to Martin, Bill, and Harry, who always treated me like a brother whenever we were together. Love you guys! You have become the men and fathers you are today as a result of your Mother's character, stamina, and abiding love.
Dear Mart, Bill, Harry and relatieves. Having sweet memories on staying twice at the lakehouse, hereby my condolences. Tante Saar being my fathers older sister, although not a daily visitor in the netherlands, still very well known and loved by us! At such a remarkable age, she will be missed by you, but i guess she has seen it all. She emailed me by accident 2-3 years back, I replied to her that she intented to mail Mart but got me. She then answered that it started to get harder to email and see the screen correctly. If you are around 100 years old, i find this very impressive! Being interested, a quality also seen by her sisters and brothers. Tante Saar is the last of the generation of our parents. We miss them, they are still in our hearts. I wish you a good private funeral and the ability to make this a dear memory. Met hartelijke groet, Johan Mulder, zoon van Dirk Mulder en Tine Scheffer
On behalf of the Liddell family I wish to express our condolences to the whole Van Dam family. We have so many special memories from Walkerton and Inverhuron. Joyce was an inspiration in so many ways and our visits with her over the last couple of years was something we looked forward to. We will remember her always for her commitment to family and faith first, as well as her spark, determination, creative talents and love of life.
Bill and whole Van Dam Family - We send our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your "Mom" & Grandmother! She was an amazing lady who was loved by all. May she rest easy & her Memories carry you all thru this sad time. Brian & Helen Post
So very sorry for your loss - Joyce was such an amazing woman. I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce through her dear friend, Anni Kreppenhofer. We are fortunate to have some of Joyce's handiwork in our home. Cherish the wonderful memories, of which there will be many, and carry them in your hearts forever.
It was a pleasure caring for Joyce for the almost 12 years that she was at Tiverton Park Manor. She was an amazing woman and dear friend. I will truly miss her but am happy that she is nolonger suffering. May she RIP. Fly with the angels my friend xoxo
Dear Bill, Anna, Kim and families, our deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. What a long life your mom lived, so many changes. I read an article she wrote recently, her life story and how interesting it was. Treasure the many memories you have shared through the years! Hugs and love to you all, Wayne and Joan Hartwick