In loving memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ludwina Lamberdina Adriana Maria Cliff (nee Demmers) on June 11th, 2023. She passed peacefully with her family at her side at Bethany, Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Lidy was born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on April 14th, 1933. She immigrated to Toronto in 1955, to live with her brother Henk and family. There she married Edward Walinga and had four children: Susan, Raymond, Patricia, and Jennifer. They moved to Peterborough, Ontario in 1971 and spent many happy years there. Ed passed away on June 11th, 1994. Lidy remarried a wonderful man named Bob Cliff who also had four children: June, Lynne, Carol and Rob. Together Mom and Bob had sixteen grandchildren - eight in Ontario and eight out west - and they made a consistent effort to spend time with them all. Mom's grandson Alex experienced a special connection with his Oma in her last days. Lidy enjoyed spending time at the cottage on Long Lake in Apsley, was an ardent gardener, swimmer with "The Mermaids", reader, and had a passion for travelling. She took numerous river cruises in Europe, several trips to the Caribbean and the USA, and travelled Canada from one end to the other. In later years Mom took almost yearly trips to Holland to spend time with family. Deserving special mention is her namesake, Lidy Verdonk, who made an equal effort to bring her mom to Canada as often as possible so the sisters, Riet and Lidy, could spend time together. Mom was able to live in Peterborough for 46 years with the help and support of Bob's kids. Her decision in 2017 to move out west to be with us and our families was bittersweet but we all got to spend six years together in Victoria and Sylvan Lake, having fun and making the best of life, which we could not have done without the help and support of our spouses and children. Lidy was predeceased by her husband Robert Allan Cliff in 2006, father Henricus in 1935, mother Adriana Maria in 1985 and brothers, Nico, Jan, Andre, Henk and Herman. The youngest of seven children, Lidy is survived by her big sister and best friend Reit Vershoor of Apeldoorn, her children and their partners, stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Lidy didn't mince words and was never afraid to speak her mind. She was a loving mother and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her. A very special thanks to the Bethany staff in Sylvan Lake who went above and beyond to make her last days awesome.
Lidy's family would like to invite friends and family to a Memorial Service on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Highland Park Chapel at 2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough, Ontario, to be followed by a reception in the Highland Park Reception Centre. Private interment to follow.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.sylvanlakefuneralhome.ca or www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com. Arrangements entrusted to Sylvan Lake Funeral Home - Sylvan Lake, Alberta and Highland Park Funeral Centre - Peterborough, Ontario.
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