Obituary for Lena Neeltje Byl
BYL, Lena Neeltje (nee Barendregt) - Passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her 90th year at St. Catharines General Hospital on Saturday September 3, 2022. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared for our mother at both the Greater Niagara General and the St Catharines General Hospitals.
Beloved wife of Leendert (Len) who cherished her for 73 years and who still resides at Chapel Heights Retirement Home. Loving mother of Lane (Margaret) Byl, Casey (Valerie) Byl, May (Alan) Simpson, Richard (Linda) Byl and Marinus (Beverley) Byl.
Caring ‘Oma’ of Marlena, Jason, Sarah, Melissa, Derek, Cassandra, Lane, Christopher, and Whitney. Step-grandmother of Brett, Maureen, Ben, Dustin, Sarah, Jade, and Jared. She was also known as ‘Oma B.’ to 12 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Cok Vanderlinden and Dingena Vanfeleius in the Netherlands. Predeceased by her grandson Corey and her siblings Dirk, Hugo, Neeltje and Cor. Fondly remembered by many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was a founding member of the Niagara Bridge Center and a twenty year president of the Niagara Bridge Association. She and Len became Silver Life Masters and were recognizable at bridge events around the world.
Lena was a member and past president of the Virgil Women's Institute. She was also active in The Ontario Federation of Agriculture where she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a few of growers’ wives they created the Grape Growers’ Action Committee where she was instrumental in promoting the Ontario Grape & Wine industry during a crucial period of transition. She met and lobbied many of the Premiers and Prime Ministers of this country she loved so much. Lena was shameless in her promotion of Ontario grapes and wine as she travelled. She and her husband Len travelled the globe extensively, to such exotic places as New Zealand, Australia, Tunisia, Moscow, Antarctica and everywhere in between.
She was the backbone of the successful family grape farm she shared with her husband Len and their five children. Relying on her hard work, Len was named Grape King in 1986. They were both active in the Port Weller Sailing Club where they raced their sailboat, ‘Vintage’ for many years
The family will receive friends at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Thursday September 8, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lena will take place at the St. Davids Lions Hall, 1462 York Road, St. Davids, on Friday September 9, 2022 at 1 pm. Interment will follow at Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a memorial donation may do so to the Niagara Health Foundation and the Erland Lee Museum Home of the Women’s’ Institute. Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
Beloved wife of Leendert (Len) who cherished her for 73 years and who still resides at Chapel Heights Retirement Home. Loving mother of Lane (Margaret) Byl, Casey (Valerie) Byl, May (Alan) Simpson, Richard (Linda) Byl and Marinus (Beverley) Byl.
Caring ‘Oma’ of Marlena, Jason, Sarah, Melissa, Derek, Cassandra, Lane, Christopher, and Whitney. Step-grandmother of Brett, Maureen, Ben, Dustin, Sarah, Jade, and Jared. She was also known as ‘Oma B.’ to 12 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Cok Vanderlinden and Dingena Vanfeleius in the Netherlands. Predeceased by her grandson Corey and her siblings Dirk, Hugo, Neeltje and Cor. Fondly remembered by many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was a founding member of the Niagara Bridge Center and a twenty year president of the Niagara Bridge Association. She and Len became Silver Life Masters and were recognizable at bridge events around the world.
Lena was a member and past president of the Virgil Women's Institute. She was also active in The Ontario Federation of Agriculture where she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a few of growers’ wives they created the Grape Growers’ Action Committee where she was instrumental in promoting the Ontario Grape & Wine industry during a crucial period of transition. She met and lobbied many of the Premiers and Prime Ministers of this country she loved so much. Lena was shameless in her promotion of Ontario grapes and wine as she travelled. She and her husband Len travelled the globe extensively, to such exotic places as New Zealand, Australia, Tunisia, Moscow, Antarctica and everywhere in between.
She was the backbone of the successful family grape farm she shared with her husband Len and their five children. Relying on her hard work, Len was named Grape King in 1986. They were both active in the Port Weller Sailing Club where they raced their sailboat, ‘Vintage’ for many years
The family will receive friends at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Thursday September 8, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lena will take place at the St. Davids Lions Hall, 1462 York Road, St. Davids, on Friday September 9, 2022 at 1 pm. Interment will follow at Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a memorial donation may do so to the Niagara Health Foundation and the Erland Lee Museum Home of the Women’s’ Institute. Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com