WILHELMINA (WILLY) MENSING

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WILHELMINA (WILLY) MENSING

(nee TRAA) (SLEGERS)

On the morning of February 17, 2023, the sun rose bright pink and red. With that sunshine and in the loving company of her children, Willy chose to peacefully leave this world. She was strong, courageous, and very sure of the moment after suffering the debilitating effects of a stroke. Before she left us, her wish to say good-bye to all of her grandchildren and send love to her great-grandchildren was accomplished.
Willy was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband of 30 years, Jan Mensing, son, Harold Slegers, parents, Regina and Hendrikus, sister, Hendrika, brothers, Martin and Gerry. She will remain lovingly in the thoughts of her children, Mary-Anne, Caroline (Trevis), Reginald, daughter-in-law, Susan, grandchildren, Stephanie (William), Lesley (Marakary), Grace, Claire, Justin, Derrick (Brook), Dallan and Lauren, great-grandchildren, Zachary, Maxwell, Ezra, Pipper and Quinn. She will be remembered by Jan’s daughter Kathy and her children, Cayman (Evonne), Amanda and Devon, daughter Diane (Rob) and her son Ryan, their siblings and extended families. Also remembering Willy are her siblings and in-laws, Greta (Noelline), Hank (Mia), Ted (Cecile), Tina, Helen, John (Anne-Marie), (Baiba) and many nieces and nephews. The Traa, Van de Pol, Slegers, Mensing and Kamp families and friends in the Netherlands will also have Willy in their memories.
Willy was born on October 12, 1934, in the Netherlands. The Traa family lived in Achterveld and endured the hardships and tragedies of living nearby a Second World War battlefront and the post-war conditions in the Netherlands. Willy shared stories of these times with vivid recollection, including the tale of two Jewish boys, Nico and Rolf Kamp, who came to live with the Traa family during the war. For their effort, Willy’s parents are honoured as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem “for help rendered to Jewish persons during the period of the Holocaust at the risk of their lives.” Willy was very proud of this recognition and the role that she played in the effort.
Immigration to Canada in 1954 was not easy. Hard work, learning a new language, adapting to a new way of life, marriage and motherhood were next. Willy met every challenge head on, fearlessly, confidently, often with great imagination and creativity, all with a hint of fun. The young family settled in King’s Park (Winnipeg). It is here that she made Canadian and Dutch friends, many of whom have supported her in one way or another throughout her life.
From King’s Park, the family set out on an adventure to farm in Baie St. Paul. Farm life was tough but Willy always tried to make the best of it and provide for her children. Fond memories of driving to the ice cream store after Saturday night baths in pyjamas singing renditions of I'm Henery the VIII, I Am, King of the Road and other classics are special.
Willy cared for numerous foster children, many still staying in touch with her, some still calling her mom. Eventually she gained employment as an aide at the Manitoba School. Here, she proudly succeeded in taking post-secondary courses to upgrade her education. A move to Winnipeg saw Willy continue the work she excelled at with people with disability in a workshop setting and later in a school setting. She loved this work and would go on to provide respite care to children and adults, whose families were grateful for the care she provided.
In 1986, Willy married Jan. They were a good team. With Jan as the steady man that he was, they established a home together where everyone was welcome. Willy also took great pride in the cottage that she and Jan built and were able to enjoy for many seasons in Belair. She was an avid gardener, could grow almost anything and was happiest working in the flower beds and garden at the cottage. Willy and Jan travelled to Hong Kong, France, Germany, England, the USA (including camping to Alaska), throughout Canada and of course many times to their homeland. Willy continued to travel after Jan’s passing, enjoying trips to St. Lucia, British Columbia, Alaska (this time on a cruise ship) and a Rhine River cruise supplemented with a stay in the Netherlands to celebrate her 80th Birthday with family there.
We, Willy’s children, would like to thank the management and staff at Thorvaldson Care Centre for the excellent job that they did in providing care to our mom, that supported a level of independence that she could not otherwise have enjoyed. She appreciated the good food and coffee and happily participated in the exercise and recreation programs. Our mom was very grateful to have access to the MAiD Program. We thank the MAiD team for their kind and compassionate care to both our mom and us.
“Do your best.”
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB. The celebration will be livestreamed, and available online thereafter, together with a photo tribute at neilbardalinc.com. Should you wish, condolences may also be posted at neilbardalinc.com

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2023