DE GROOT, Louise Theresa
Louise De Groot passed away at the Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack on July 23, 2016, at the age of 87. She was born the daughter of Antoine and Mary Jane LaRue, in Kamloops on February 24, 1929, and married Christianus ("Gus") De Groot (predeceased) in 1956.
Her father, mother, stepfather, Edward Bennett, and her brothers and sisters, Robert, Gabriel, Margaret, Lizzie, June, and Tina are all predeceased. She is survived by her brother, Edward.
She is survived by her daughter Marie De Groot, her daughter Veronica Stander (husband, Delwen), her daughter Margaret Kowbel (husband, Steve), her son Gary De Groot (wife, Cathy), her daughter Louise Giesbrecht (husband, Paul), her daughter Cathy De Groot (husband, Ross Thompson), and her daughter Michelle De Groot. Another son, Robert De Groot, is predeceased. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Louise was raised in Kamloops, on the lands of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc people (Kamloops Indian Band), where she went on to attend the school at which she met the love of her life, Gus. After marrying in Kamloops, where their first daughter was born, they moved to White Rock, where their next two daughters were born. Following this, they moved to Chilliwack, onto the La Rose farm on Nevin Road, in Rosedale. Five further children followed, and many happy years were spent on what was a busy and thriving dairy farm. After Gus passed in 2002, Louise resided first at the Birchwood, and then at the Waverly in Chilliwack, where she had many friends, and enjoyed her twilight years.
She was a deeply spiritual woman, who attended and volunteered at St. Mary's Catholic Church regularly, and was a supporter for many years of the Catholic Church's charitable and missionary endeavours. She loved her family, had a generous heart and kitchen, and was known for her big, delicious meals and hospitality. No-one who ever met her would forget her easy smile, and her always pleasant and good-natured way. She will be sorely missed by her family and her friends.
Her family wishes to thank her long-time and faithful GP, Dr. Fitzpatrick, the Chilliwack General Hospital, the Cascade Hospice and its staff, Dr. Bull, and Dr. Chris for the care which they gave Louise.
Her funeral service was at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chilliwack, and she was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery on July 26, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Chilliwack Cascade Hospice and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.