Death
Funeral
GRUTER, Wilhelmina “Willy”. Passed away in her Dunnville home on Saturday, October 16th, 2021.
Willy will be dearly missed by her husband Hank and their children, Yvonne (Dennis), Tony and Michelle (Micheal). She will be forever cherished by grandchildren Andrew (Savanaugh), Shirlene (David), Samantha, Matthew, Marcus, Tristan and by her great grandchildren Nevik, Nathon and Benjamin. She will be missed by her siblings Aad (Ineke), Jan, Carla (Niek), Leo, Gonny (Joop) and Jacqueline (Hennie). Willy was predeceased by her parents Adrianus and Marreke Van der Bol, and her brother Frans Van der Bol. She also leaves many memorable moments to her extended family and many whose lives were touched by her selfless actions and acts of kindness during her later years as a PSW.
Willy was born in the Netherlands on January 1, 1936. While on the beach, a very handsome blonde hair blue eyed young man caught her attention and she his, as well. This was the beginning of a forever love story that spanned for more than seven decades. June 8, 1960, Willy and Hank were married and immediately made their way to Canada and settled in Dunnville where they started a hairdressing Salon. Willy was well known for the then Updoes such as, the beehive and the French roll. She had a talent for creating beautiful hairstyles and had many regular customers that she developed lasting relationships with. During the late 80’s, they purchased the Avondale Gas Bar, on Concession Street where Willy became well known for treating all the children that came to the store with candies. Today, those children now adults pleasantly greet her in the streets of Dunnville. In the late 90’s they sold the store and retired. Willy tried that out but found she just couldn’t settle into the retirement lifestyle. So, she studied to become a PSW to serve those that needed personal care. Willy loved her new job and continued a long career with the VON and St Elizabeth for twenty five years. Willy officially retire at age 79 to care for her husband, the love of her life.
Willy loved to travel and spend time with her family. They both travelled frequently with family to their homeland and south during the winter months. When they weren’t traveling, she was frequently surrounded by family.
She is now at peace and in the hands of God. Visitation will be held at J.W. Hart Funeral Home, Dunnville Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Dunnville on Thursday October 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. followed by Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada ( alzheimer.ca ) would be much appreciated by the family. A sincere thank you to our dedicated and loving care providers; Paula VanderHeiden, Tanya Langraap, Steeve Matheus and Habib Rizwan.
Online condolences jwhartfuneralhome.com
https://youtu.be/O6HrMeuaoDc
https://youtu.be/0ntP6JPohxM
So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful person inside & out. She will be missed by all who knew her🙏🙏
Deepest condolences Hank, Yvonne, Tony, Michelle and families. Willy was a lovely lady.
Sherry
Our deepest condolences. Willy was such a busy lady. Always with a smile. Sorry for your loss.
What a pleasure to have know Willy, I worked with her at St. Elizabeth’s, the clients loved her. She was such a caring and compassionate person. Condolences to the family and friends. Until we meet again!
I am so sorry for your families loss .Willy was a very special lady .Willy was always so positive and loved a good laugh .Her love for her family was something she spoke of often .
Heaven just gain another angel 😇 Rest in peace
The staff of STC wish the family sincere condolences. Your family has been through a terrible time, may that chapter be over, your Mom is now at peace. Remember the wonderful times you shared and know that she will always be watching from above.
Willy will be missed by so many in Dunnville. A very caring person. Sending our love and sympathy to all the family.
Dorothy and Peter DeKlerk
Hank, Tony, Yvonne and Michelle,
Willy was such an elegant and beautiful women I don’t think in 50 years I ever saw a hair out of place on her, she was always smiling and had that velvety voice that was memorizing when she spoke.
She never changed, when I moved back home 8 years ago and met her again I had no doubt who it was when many people alter with age.
So saddened to read this my heart goes out to all of you.
Candee Pascarella,
(Estelle Pringle’s daughter)
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family.
So very sorry to your mom’s passing Sandy and I send you our love and prayers
Dankbaar voor de momenten die ik met mijn tante heb mogen delen als zij naar nederland kwam. Wat was ze een lieve vrouw en geliefd bij iedereen. Ook in Nederland heeft zij veel harten gestolen en indrukken achter gelaten. Heel veel sterkte met dit grote verlies. In gedachten ben ik bij jullie.
Dikke knuffel
Daphne, Giovanni & Heavenly
Jim and I were so sad to hear of Will’s passing. I remember Hank and Will when they first came to Canada. They made a wonderful life for themselves and their children. Whenever we met she always made time to ask about my family. I will miss her warm smile and her happy attitude towards life. We are so sad for your loss. God Bless, Gerda
So sorry for your loss Hank and Family.Willy told me i was her first customer in Dunnville and it happen to be my Wedding Day August 18 1962.She was a sweet lady.
Your mom was such a loving lady. Our lives are so much better because she was a part of them. Her caring ways lives on through her children who are just as wondeful as she was!
Sorry for your loss I will keep your family in prayer
What a wonderful life story to reflect fondly upon through this difficult time. My condolences.
Yvonne
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Thank you for creating such a wonderful depiction of your Mom’s life. While I never met Willy, I can see quite clearly from the words and pictures what a lovely and delightful person she was.
Take Care
Chris
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom, Grandmother wife and best friend. I truly loved willy and had a lot of fun when we were all together, she will be missed.
Dear Family, I have many lovely memories of Willy through the years. She was the first one to ever cut my hair when I was 7. She was a friend it seemed all my life in that she always smiled and greeted me and everyone with such generous affection. When my father ( the late Domenic Alfieri) worked at the Youth Centre in the early 80’s we became re-aquainted and then, in my later years, we shared elder care together … Willy was a “gem” …. we had many wonderful talks together. Such an encouragement …. such a brightness of spirit. I’m so thankful to have known her. Shalom dear Willy. 💐
I’m so sorry for your loss. Willy was such a nice lady, and always had a few kind words to say to me whenever we saw each other at staff meetings. May she rest in peace.
Diana Prince
Sorry for your loss. I remember her doing my hair (yes it was an up-do). And my Nana (Vera) went to Hank and Willy’s salon weekly. I have nice memories of Willy.
Our deepest sympathy to Hank & family. I loved Willy’s visits in our salon. She had the best stories and such a genuine smile, laugh & heart. I will miss my friend but cherish our memories. God bless Willy.
We are so very sad to hear the news of Willy passing . She was a very strong , wise, beautiful lady. Our lives are richer from knowing her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
My sincere condolences on your great loss.
She was a beautiful person
Sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers
We hereby express our deepest sympathy with the loss of your loved mom…
Your mom always knew how to lighten a room with her appearence. Her bright Starr will now shine in the evening sky.
Behind every tear of sorrow is a smile full of memories.
We are with you in mind.
Lots of love, deep hugs and kisses
Marc, Nicolle & Joop Orsel
Rust zacht tante Wil
Gecondoleerd en heel veel sterkte
met het verlies
Veel liefs en knuffels van ons.