Gerdina "Mineke" Hermina (Koeslag) Spencer

The family of Gerdina Hermina “Mineke” Spencer (nee Koeslag) are saddened to announce her passing on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Left to mourn are her husband Bill, daughter Susan Arens (Desmond), son Richard (Beth), and son-in-law Brian Sheehan.  She was predeceased by her daughter Jill Sheehan in 2021.

Also predeceased by her parents, Albert Jan & Johanna Koeslag, her brothers Hendrik Jan, Johan, Albert, Bill, Henk, Jerry & Herman, and her sisters Johanna, Gerritje, Gerda & Rickie, but survived by her sister Marie Inthof (Klaas).

Mineke leaves the legacy of 7 wonderful grandchildren:  Travis Arens (Mia), Kristen Mckee (Nick), Preston Arens (Sophia), Darby Arens, Kyle Sheehan, Scott Sheehan, and Nico Spencer, as well as 6 great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Journey, Milo, Eisley, Walter, and Felix.  She was extremely proud of all of them, and very much enjoyed hearing about and supporting all their various activities, interests & accomplishments.

Mineke was born in Laren, Gelderland, The Netherlands in 1937, so she was three years old at the onset of World War II.  Her family worked in the Dutch Underground Resistance. Miraculously, the whole family of 15 made it through the war alive.  In June 1948 her parents and eight of their thirteen children emigrated to Canada, settling in Durham, Ontario. 

During Mineke’s high school years, her parents had to return to Holland, but she remained in Canada living and working with the Webb family near Glamis, Ontario.  The Webbs supported her through her Nursing studies at Toronto General Hospital and Post-Graduate degree from University of Toronto.

In 1960, she and Bill were married.  They enjoyed 65 years, 3 months and 1 day together, living in various places in southern Ontario, before following their daughters to BC in 2006.  They settled in historic Notch Hill and became active community members, particularly through River of Life Community Church. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to:           

-River of Life Community Church (giving@riveroflifecc.ca) or                  

-Christians For Israel Canada (www.c4i.ca/donations)