Elisabeth (Nagelkerke) Vandergeest

Elisabeth van der Geest (née Nagelkerke) of Gibsons, BC. Aged 83, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 16, 2020 following a stroke three days earlier.

Survived by husband Johan and her children Marian, Sandra (John), and Erick (Cathy). Born June 17, 1937 in Den Haag, the Netherlands, to Gerrit and Elsje Nagelkerke, younger sister to brother Gerard and sister Els. Elisabeth survived the WWII occupation of the Netherlands.

Her recollections focused on the generosity of others and the lifelong bond formed with her sister Els. In her teens, Elisabeth attended nursing school at St. Elisabeth's Hospital in Haarlem, North Holland. She became a surgical nurse and trained further in London, England. In 1963 she set off on a Canadian vacation and in June met her future husband Johan in Vancouver. She worked as a nurse in Kitimat BC, soon married, and welcomed daughter Marian, daughter Sandra, and son Erick.

A move to Gibsons in 1976 led to work as a RN at Sechelt Hospital and Kiwanis Care Home. Both loving mother and caring professional, she juggled family and work with selfless dedication, gently leading by example. Retired in 1997, Elisabeth volunteered, painted, took courses, and walked the shores of Bonniebrook Beach. She stoically fought through health challenges and continued to care for herself, Johan and the family home.

Witty and vibrant, she sent a cheery text message to her kids shortly before she slipped into a stroke induced coma December 13. While we are surprised and saddened by her death, we take comfort in the peaceful nature of her passing, draw strength from lessons taught, and cherish the love and care she infused in our lives. She is now part of all of us. We will miss her dearly.

A warm thank you for the care and support provided to Elisabeth and our family at Sechelt Hospital and by all those who have helped these last few weeks.

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