Passed away at Grand River Hospital – Freeport Campus, Kitchener on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the age of 100.
Beloved wife of the late Gerald Groothuis (2011). Cherished mother of Jack and Trudy of Stratford, Hank and Mary of New Brunswick, Garry and Judy of Kitchener, Joanne Holland and Ed Ries of Kitchener, Christine and Allan Ducharme of Seaforth, Rose and Steve Curtis of Kitchener, and Jim and Rose of Baden. Loving grandmother of 24 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and extended family in Holland. Predeceased by her granddaughter Julie Rose Fielder (2019), her 9 siblings in the Spekreijse family, and 9 in-laws from the Groothuis family.
Our mom was a woman of deep faith who lived her life giving to others. She will always be remembered for her delicious cookies, her endless pots of soup, her hats, scarves, and mitts all knitted with love, and her beautiful flower gardens. She was kind to everyone and gave the best hugs. Her family was everything and she made sure each member knew how much they were loved. She has made our world a better place.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 87 Goderich Street West, SEAFORTH on Friday, May 19th from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 PM. Registration is appreciated. To register, please click “Register Now” below.
The funeral mass will be held at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 22 Victoria Street, Seaforth on Saturday, May 20th at 11 AM. Interment St. James Catholic Cemetery, Seaforth.
Donations in Hendrika’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Geraldine Wilson
I wish to extend my sincere sympathy and prayers to all the family.
Diane Clark
To the Groothuis families
Sending my sincerest sympathy and wishing you peace, comfort and cherished memories. I remember your mom’s kindness and strong faith when I lived in Seaforth
Sincerely
Diane (Phillips) Clark
Ann (Rivers) Preszcator
Dear Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Carolanne Doig
To all in the Groothius family, I extend my sincere sympathy at this time. A century of contributing to family, friends, and community is quite an accomplishment. Time for a rest and time to celebrate a life well lived.
mike and shirley meidinger
So sorry for your loss. I remember going to the house after school with Garry. His mom was always so nice.
Brian and Karen MacDonald
Sincere sympathy to the Groothius family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
William Price
To the Groothius Family, So very sorry to hear of your moms’ passing. She was a lovely lady. Extending our deepest sympathy to all at this sad time. Sincerely Bill and Gail Price
Rose and Piet Loomans
A lovely lady, a wonderful life. So many memories. Condolences to the entire Groothuis family.
Ruth Smith
Mrs. Groothuis was a great neighbour .
We enjoyed many times together.
Lovely memories.
ruth smith.
Janice Murray and Harry Jansen
Our deepest sympathy to you all.. Grace says she’s like loosing a sister to her.. taking this very hard.. Know your in our prayers
Grace Jansen & family
Larry and Dianne McGrath
Our sincere sympathy to the Groothuis families on the loss of your beloved mom, grandma and great grandmother. She was a lovely lady and always had a smile. Our thoughts are with you.
Louise Harris
My deepest condolences to the whole family, thinking of you at this difficult time ❤️🙏
Gerry Brunzlow
We would like to send our deepest sympathy to the Groothuis family. Wayne and Gerry Brunzlow.
Gerda Vanden Hoven
Sincere condolences to the Groothius family. It doesn’t matter how old a parent is it still is a final goodbye. Cherish the many happy memories of a loving mother. May she rest in peace.
Cor and Gerda Vanden Hoven
George Kruse
Your mom and dad were the best neighbours our brother Laurie Kruse could have wished for. He always praised the soup and meals she would bring him and he would snow blow her lane way in return. Good people and good friends! Our condolences to the family. George and Kim Kruse . Bayfield
Kathy Smith
Our sympathies to the Groothuis family in the passing of your Mom,Grandma,and Great Grandma you are all in our thoughts and prayers.. With Sympathy Mark &Kathy 🙏
Gary Ryan
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your Mother. Though it has been many years since we were neighbours, those few years we lived in Seaforth hold fond memories. I’m sure Fran is looking forward to catching up.
Peter & Frances Kling
Our sincere condolences to all the Groothuis families.
A beautiful lady.
Catherine Melady
Chris, Allan and family. My deepest sympathy to all of you on the death of your Mom.
Carlyle and Penny Meikle
Sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing,Chris.
Joyce and Gerry Dales
Garry and Judy, Jim and Rose, Rose and Steve, we were sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. We want to offer our condolences.
Joyce and Gerry Dales
Marian Finlayson
My sincere condolences in the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Joanne Aubin
I have been struggling to come up with words to express how deeply saddened about the loss of my Dutch mother, Mrs G. Even though she had such a large family, she always had room in her huge heart for me. Card games. cookies and many stories from over the years. The stories often came from the family…I dont think she ever wanted to share the hard work ones…I’ll never forget any of them. She will be missed forever.
Paul & Cathy Hulley
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to you all at this very sad and difficult time. Cherish the wonderful memories forever in your hearts.
Marilyn
What an amazing amount of memories you must have of your Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma.
Our thoughts are with you during this time.
Sincerely,
Marilyn, Chris, Derick and Janine Acheson
Rebecca, Greg, Irelyn and Emerson Long
Our deepest condolences during this difficult time. We are keeping the Groothuis family in our hearts. She was an incredibly special Oma
reg whyte
May your memories keep your hearts happy.
Regi and Bill Whyte
Mary Longstaff
Dear Groothius Family. Our sincere condolences from the Longstaff family. She was a great lady and a true Matriarch of your family. Sunday soup day after mass comes to mind. What a smart lady. Always a smile and hello when I passed by. She will be missed by you all. Cherish the memories of her and now she is with Gerald. She will be missed. Mary and family.
John Munro
Your Mom was a very pleasant lady and lived to a good age.we send are thoughts and prayers to you all. John Munro and Rose Burgess
Dr and Mrs Albert Mok
We are so sorry to hear the passing of Mrs. Groothuis, the pillar of all her families.
We first met Mrs. Groothuis in 2010 when we visited her at her home in Seaforth to seek her blessing and approval of the marriage of her grandson, Gerry and our daughter, Andrea. We were amazed by her grace and friendliness and were treated with her homemade cookies. We then met again at their wedding in October. Both Mrs. Groothuis and Andrea’s grandmother from Boston were enjoying themselves, chatting up and comparing ages (mid and late 80’s) with laughter. This was our last happy memory of Mrs. Groothuis, still fresh in our minds. Rest in peace.
Rose and Piet Loomans
We offer you our thoughts of peace. Your Mom was a wonderful lady. You’ll carry her influence for the rest of your lives and the lives of your children. Hope your sadness is overcome with the legacy she left for so many people!
Peace
Rose and Piet Loomans
Paul Kruse
Our Condolences, both your mother and father were good neighbours to our brother Laurie , they dd help Laurie when he was sick, I do remember Laurie telling me that your mother made the best soup that he appreciated from time to time, maybe they are all enjoying the same in a better place .
Kevin,Debbie Bennewies
Sending our sincere condolences to the entire Groothuis family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Marlene& Dave de Vries
Our deepest Condolences to you All. She was a lovely person. We have Special Memories of her as neighbours. You are in our thoughts and prayers. 💕
Keith and Cindy
We would like to extend our prayers and condolences to the entire family.
Paul and JoAnne Matthews
We are so very sorry for your great loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. She was a great lady.
Bill and Grace Campbell
Please accept our condolences as you celebrate the life of a special mom and grandmother. Enjoy the memories.
Bill and Grace Campbell
M.Bode
Ja, soms regent het in ons. Hoewel het voelt als eindeloos, weet dat de zon niet onder blijft, de zon komt terug , altijd.
Veel sterkte voor julle allen in deze moeilijke dagen. Een prachtig mens heeft ons verlaten.
Mieke Bode-Spekreijse
Dochter van oom Herman en tante Coba
Murray & Heather Ducharme
May you be comforted in cherished memories, perfect peace and gentle understanding.
Thinking of all of you at this difficult time,
Murray & Heather Ducharme
Joe and Catherine
Chris, Allan and family sorry. to hear of your mom passed we send our deepest condolences
Harry and Donna Arts
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Groothuis family.
Rick & Carolyn Powell
So sorry for this huge loss to your family! What a lovely tribute for such a beautiful soul. Sounds like she’s given you all plenty of sweet, loving memories to treasure & help heal your broken hearts.
Sincerely, Rick & Carolyn Powell
Wayne and Wilma Knight
Dear Chris & Allan, and to all of the family, we are very sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother.
Our sincere condolences.
Wilma & Wayne Knight
Ken and Deb Janmaat
To the Groothius Family
Sorry to hear about your mom’s passing she was a lovely lady and always had a smile. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers Hold onto the memories. Hugs
Lesley and Tony Bratcher
To the family:our sincere condolences and prayers for healing and peace. Heaven truly gained an Angel.
Anne Schmidt
My deepest condolences on the passing of your mom. I met her a few times and was wonderful to share some of our Dutchness.
She will live on in each of you as you cherish the many memories.
I’m sorry I am unable to attend her funeral. It will be a wonderful celebration of her life❤️
Anne Schmidt
Geri-Kay Ryan
So very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of her from my very young youth. Her love & smile lives on in all of you. My heart goes out to the family.
Lori
Sincere condolences to all. She has left behind an exceptional family and your character speaks volumes about her love and strength.
Lori Buchanan and Dave Harwood
Agnes Scarrow
My Sympathy and Hugs go out to the whole Groothuis family. She will always be remembered by everyone.
Joan Stapleton
My deepest sympathy to the families
Brian & Helen Oldfield
To the entire Groothuis family, our sincere condolences at this sad time. So many years of memories for you to cherish.
Aileen and Gary Finnegan
Rose and Steve, Jim and Rose, Garry and Judy, we are very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Over the years we have heard many stories involving your mother and growing up in Seaforth and then how she was doing after your dad passed away. She sounded like a loving and caring mother and we are glad she was in your lives for so long. Thinking of you. Aileen and Gary Finnegan
Sandi Brintnell
Chris, Allan and family,
So sorry to hear your mom passed.
We send our deepest condolences.
Rob , Sandi and family
Nancy & Brian R.
Our prayers are with you Joanne and all the family. Although we didn’t know your mom directly, her life and legacy is visible in you all. As she is now passing her torch forward to each of you to keep her light shining brightly for generations forward. Praying peace for you as you celebrate her life.
Patrick & Maryann Feeney
Christine and family. My sympathies on the loss of your mom. She was a great friend to my mom and loved the weekly card games together. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers
Denise & Brad Smith
Dear Chris & the entire Groothuis Family:
Brad & I want to offer our deepest sympathies to you. We were fortunate to know Mrs. G and be the recipient of many batches of cookies from her. We are unable to attend the funeral as we are away and won’t be home until the weekend.
Mrs. G – was one of the best!!!
Denise & Brad