93, October 18, 2016 at Stratford General Hospital, as a result of congestive heart failure. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Steven Gerard van Schaik and her two sisters, Louisa and Lily. Survived by her seven children, Mary Lou (John), John, Steven (Barbara), Peter (Maggie), Rich, David (Cathy) and Patricia (David); her grandchildren Luke (Yvonne), Monica (David), Annette, Andy, Christopher (Megan), Sam, Jessica (Mike), Dean, Scott, Collin and Derik; and her two great-grandchildren, Alice and Felix.
Throughout her life, Daisy touched countless people with her generosity, her keen interest and concern for others, and her indomitable faith. She studied nursing in Holland, practising there during WWII, and then, after emigrating to Canada in 1950, continued her nursing career at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Mount Forest General Hospital, and finally, the Victorian Order of Nurses. Daisy was a familiar site on country backroads, driving her VON blue Volkswagen Beetle to home visits with her many patients. Daisy was the nurse that dying patients asked for. They welcomed the solace of her skillful hands and compassionate nature. She lived a life of deep, unquestioning faith that found expression in helping others – from taking in Vietnamese boat people to acting as friend and mother to those with special needs; from organizing Roman Catholic ‘Core’ retreats for young people to visiting the sick and helping the poor. After her husband’s death in 1989, she moved to Ottawa where she actively served in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Parish, supporting the work of the Companions of the Cross. She returned to Guelph in 2010 where she slowed down a little – not a lot – and engaged in swimming, reading, her Prayer Group meetings, and daily Mass at the St. Joseph’s retirement residences where she lived. Daisy’s last day on this earth was spent receiving the Last Rites and then, surrounded by her children, grand-children and a great-grandchild, she savoured the laughter and love of her family.
Our heartfelt thanks to the competent and incredibly kind medical and nursing care from staff at the Stratford General Hospital, including Drs. Mehrain and Lussier, and nurses Leisa, Amber and Rhonda.
A funeral mass will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Guelph on Friday, October 21st at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception in Holy Rosary Parish Hall. In memoriam contributions may be made to the Ottawa Companions of the Cross.
A tree will be planted in memory of Christina M. A. (Daisy) van Schaik in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm.