Jacoba (Coby) Theresia DeGraauw was granted her angel wings on September 16, 2023. Her final days were spent surrounded by her closest Powell River family and friends.
Coby was born December 18, 1933, in Nijmegen, Holland. She immigrated to Canada in 1970 and married her beloved Peter.
Many will remember her passion for working with children for School District 47. Coby's interests included music, gardening, quilting and reading. Her love for animals, especially birds, filled her life. She displayed significant community pride, volunteering at Evergreen Care Unit for many years. Her beauty, fashion sense, charm and humour will be fondly remembered.
Coby was preceded in death by her husband Peter DeGraauw, brothers Karel Helt and Adrianus Helt and sister Anne Wessendorp-Helt (Johannes Wessendorp). She is survived by her brother Gerard Helt and family, sisters-in-law Will Helt and Hettie Helt and their families, Judy DeGraauw-Teklenburg, goddaughter Mirjam (mother Thea) and her father Ben van der Linden, all in the Netherlands.
Special love and appreciation go to Cheryl Milne and Katcher Guidance for the exceptional companion care which went above and beyond. Warm thanks to the staff at Evergreen Extended Care, where Coby resided, and to Alison Taplay for being a dear friend who took Coby on many special outings and appointments.
The families of Wendy (Paul) Goodwin and Debbie (Doug) Thistlethwaite embraced Coby as their mom and oma. Their children and grandchildren were truly blessed to have Coby in their lives.
At her request, there will be no service. Donations to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation are greatly appreciated.
