Helena Cornelia Petronella Rinkel, lovingly referred to as Leny by all who knew her, passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 2020. Leny is survived by her husband John, her daughters Trudy (Rick), Cheryl (Brian), Monique (Michael), and their families.
Leny was born on November 8, 1938 in Zevenbergschen Hoek in the Netherlands. She was one of seven children of Jan Koot and Clasina Schrama. Her siblings were Jopie, Truus, Kees, Riet, Jan, and Hans. Leny emigrated to Canada 55 years ago, after finding the love of her life, John. She called Calgary, Alberta home and together with John raised their three beautiful daughters in a home full of love and a backyard full of flowers. It was in this home on Longridge Drive that God took Leny from all of us and brought her to Heaven. We know she is looking down on us with a smile and a heart filled with love. We take comfort in knowing that she is pain free, safe, and happy with her parents and siblings whom she so dearly loved and missed.
Leny spent her career working in customer service and everyone who came to shop knew they would be treated with kindness, respect, and a beautiful smile. Leny set aside time each day to pray for people she knew needed help and thanked God for listening to her prayers when they got better. She had an incredibly strong faith in God, and knew that when it was her time to sit beside the Father, she would go to Heaven knowing she had helped everyone she could on earth. Leny also donated to many charities; the one she was most proud of helping was Operation Smile Canada.
God, I hope you have a lot of tea and coffee in Heaven because Leny will make frequent stops to just sit and enjoy the sights and sounds around her as she visits with her parents and siblings. When she passed, she had the joy of knowing her three daughters were married with families of their own. One of Leny’s greatest joys was being able to spend time with her nine grandchildren, Mitchell, Karly, Courtney, Danielle, Taylor, Gabrielle, Jack, Wyatt, and Chloe. She loved them all so very much.
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