Elisabeth Weda (Van Buiten) age 73, lost her battle with cancer after almost 32 years. She went peacefully to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband Karl, her children; Annet (Tom), Belinda (Elbert) and Vincent (Alyssa); grandchildren Sarah, Matthew, Erin and Ryan, her great grandchildren; Charlotte, Hadley, Aiden and Joelle, her brother Egbert (Bonnie), sister Gerrie, brother-in-law Hermann Weda (Antje), nieces, nephews and cousins
Elisabeth was born in Losser, Netherlands to Henk and Jantje on September 23, 1948. She married Karl on June 29, 1967. She, Karl and their two young daughters immigrated to Abbotsford, Canada on Dec 3, 1972. Their son was born in Canada a few years later.
Elisabeth loved getting together with friends and family. She always worked hard and was very meticulous in things she did. She always saved money even when there was very little, she worked for H&R Block doing taxes and later she worked in Claims and then Invoicing for Walmart for over 25 years. She travelled to a lot of different stores all over BC to help them with their invoicing, find errors and make corrections as well. She found this a challenge. She loved her job.
Elisabeth was extremely talented. She was very good at gymnastics growing up and became a gymnastics coach. She loved sewing and made a lot of dresses for her girls and their dolls. She even sewed their prom and wedding dresses and later on fancy dresses for her granddaughters. She knitted and crocheted. Loved making and gifting baby blankets, jackets, hats and booties. Elisabeth loved shopping and anything to do with fashion. She loved sparkles and would always have something sparkly on her. She was teased many times about this. Everything she did was done with precision whether baking and decorating a gingerbread house or train or tole painting. Anything she saw she could make. She cross-stitched beautiful pictures that adorn the walls of her home and stockings for her kids and grandchildren. She loved flowers; especially white, enjoy a glass of wine, dancing, music, going to the theatre for a ballet or play.
In their 55 years, together Elisabeth and Karl travelled to many places over the world, just the two of them or with family and friends. Along with many trips back to the Netherlands, they did a couple of cruises, went many times to Mexico and loved the all-inclusive resorts and exploring the nearby towns. She swam with the dolphins, which she thought was an amazing experience, snorkeled, loved seeing the turtles and tropical fish. They went to Hawaii, explored and experienced different countries in Europe such as Germany, France, England and Croatia. They explored many areas in the US. Phoenix, New York, Vegas and drove the coast to Disneyland and San Francisco, saw the Grand Canyon and explored many other cities and states along the way. Elisabeth always wanted to travel across Canada and see the east coast. She got as far as Quebec City and then Montreal and they had to head back home through the US to get back in time for oncologist appointments.
Elisabeth fought a long hard battle with cancer for 32 years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 1990. She was part of a research project through Philadelphia and went through radical treatments. She went on to fight three more battles each one also being part of research and being put on trial meds. She surpassed all odds. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and once again just made it into a trial program. She battled for five years but she was in a lot of pain and very sick in the last months and she could no longer fight. She went very peacefully holding Karl’s hand at ARC palliative care ward in the care of the most wonderful nurses and doctors. We could not have asked for a better medical support team for Elisabeth and her family.
Elisabeth had a strong faith and loved the worship music and to do her Bible studies, have fellowship on Sundays… she was so thankful for the online services for those times she could not physically go. Her Bible is well worn and marked up with highlights and notes.
Karl and family wishes to thank all of the wonderful nurses and doctors. We thank all of our family and friends for all of you love, prayers and support during the years and in Elisabeth’s last days. We want to give a special thanks to Elisabeth’s lifelong friends Greta, Darlene and Eva. You were her rocks… her go to… her people and she loved you so much. We know she rests peacefully and suffers no more as she has gone to be with her Lord and meet up with all of those that had gone before her. She is dancing once again… dancing with the angels
One of Elisabeth’s last words were: ‘Never put off what you can do today for tomorrow’.
We will always love you and miss you dearly. Til we meet again
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