Obituary of Henrica "Rika" Hellings
Surrounded by the love and adoration of her family, Henrica 'Rika' Hellings (nee Van Den Oetelaar) passed peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre on Friday February 28, 2025 at 92 years of age.
Reunited once again with her beloved husband, Henricus 'Harry', her parents, siblings and many other loved ones that have gone before.
Left to remember her beautiful life are her children Anne Sadler, Dorothy (Collin) Baird, Henrietta (Michel) Carriere and Harold; Grandchildren Jennifer (Regan), late Stephanie, Shannon (Vance), Teri (Chris), Harrison, Cole (Rachael), Cameron (Alisha), Nicole (Ian), Rachel, Marc (Adrienne) and Joel (Hannah); Great Grandchildren Rayden, Kassidy, Sadie, Triton, Sierra, Korbin, Hunter, Violet and Brooklyn. Tante Riek to many nieces and nephews.
Rika most of all loved her family, making a good pan of soup, caring for her chickens and schooling us all in Black Queen ("because you can't have friends in cards!"). Her home was a safe harbour to all, where you could always enjoy a cup of coffee, some cookies and good company. She taught us many life lessons like "haste makes waste" and "many hands make for light work" but most valuable of them all was that love and kindness to each other is always the best way.
It's this love and kindness along with a lifetime of memories is what will help bring us all comfort in this time of sadness.
A special thank-you to the staff at Bradford Valley - Lake House Unit for the last 3 years of support and care of our dear matriarch.
Also a thank-you to the nurses and doctors of Southlake Palliative Care for providing comfort in her final days.
Rest easy now Oma, all your work is now done. Love you forever and miss you till we meet again. Howdo!
A visitation will be held at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Rd., Bradford on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Church, 167 Essa St., Bradford on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11 a.m. Interment Holy Martyrs Cemetery, Bradford.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11 a.m. Funeral Mass Link
In Rika's memory, donations may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County.