Shena DeBoer November 10 1935 - September 21, 2022

Gesina (Shena) Berendina DeBoer (nee Neerhof) passed away peacefully on September 21, 2022, surrounded by her family.  Shena was born during the Depression, lived through World War Two in occupied Netherlands, and immigrated to Canada with her father and siblings after the war.  

Shena met the love of her life Hank at a church function in Owen Sound, married in 1957, and they remained inseparable for 63 years until Hank’s passing in 2020.  

A curious, adventurous, kind, fun-loving soul, Shena, together with Hank, raised four boys on a dairy farm near Keady, Ontario and dedicated all of her energy to both her family and church.  After moving off the farm, Shena and Hank lived in Chatham and in Kitchener.   It was in Kitchener that Shena trained to become a personal support worker for ComCare, going into homes and helping people.  Hers was a life of service and humble movements while she lived, served, and loved on this earth.  Her boys could not ask for a better mom.

Shena was predeceased by her parents Antoon and Gezina Neerhof (nee Eenink), and her brothers Bernard, Joe, Gerrit, John (surviving wife Audrey), Arnold (surviving wife Nel), and her beloved only sister Miena Klyn-Hesselink.  Shena will be missed by friends and family in Owen Sound, Chatham, Kitchener, and The Netherlands as well as many nieces and nephews.

Shena will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   Shena is survived by Harry (Hilda); Ken (Cindy);  Ron (Karen) and Joyce; and was predeceased by her son Doug (2014), daughter-in-law Janice (2017), daughter Sandra (1958) and sons Brian (1963) and Jeffrey (1971).    Shena was a proud Grandma to eleven grandchildren: Carlene (Frank), Lindsay (Tim), Brianne (Mark), Kevin (Joseè), Krista (Matt), Stephanie, Samantha (Ryan), Kailey (Carlos), Tara, Jocelyn (Jared), Kristen (Jason); and six great great-grandchildren: Elijah, Eden, Eloise, Annalia, Miriam, and Caleb. 

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the nurses, personal support workers, and all other staff at Briarfield Gardens Retirement Residence in Kitchener for their loving care during Shena’s time there. 

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation are encouraged to do so to KidsAbility or Nutrition For Learning.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is to be held at Community Christian Reformed Church, 1275 Bleams Road, Kitchener ON on Monday September 26 at 1:00 pm. Pastor Amanda Bakale will be officiating.   

The service will be live streamed (Please click here) or ciopy and paste the following:  https://www.ccrc.on.ca/church-at-home

There will be light refreshments and an opportunity for a social gathering after the service.