WILHELMINA ETTA “WILLA” WESTENDORP, a resident of Harriston, passed away at Palmerston Hospital on Thursday, December 28, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 75 years old.

Willa is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Henry Westendorp. She was the cherished mother of Julius and Colleen Westendorp of Kitchener, Elden and Julie Westendorp of Drayton, Jared and Kate Westendorp of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Ezra and Robbie Westendorp of Harriston.

She was the most adoring grandmother of Josephine, Nathan, Carly, Shaelyn, Justine, Hannah, Evan, Rachel, Emma, Benton and Hayden.

Willa will be fondly remembered by her siblings: Tena Geerts, Jacob and Hazel DeJong, Helen and John Cappon, Wynne Vandezande, Tom and Sally Posthumus, Betty and Peter Mostert, Mary and Sy Wassenaar, Elaine DeJong, Ida and Henry Lunshof, Nancy and Gerrit deBoer and Lillian Buesink, and also by Henry’s siblings: Annie Postma and Edward and Lynne Westendorp, as well as a great number of nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents: Benne and Ida DeJong, her siblings: John Geerts, Marguerite and Peter DeVries, Gerald Vandezande, Jessie Posthumus, Allan DeJong and John Buesink, also by Henry’s parents: Rein and Aaltje Westendorp and Henry’s siblings: Donald and Susan Westendorp , Joseph and Margaret Westendorp, John and Lenore Westendorp and Ralph Postma.

The family will welcome relatives and friends at Palmerston Christian Reformed Church, 400 Whites Road, Palmerston on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. where a celebration of Willa’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 3 at 1:00 pm.

The family is so grateful to those who have provided such compassionate care to Willa: her doctors - Dr. Calarco and Dr. Decarolis, the caregivers with Waterloo-Wellington LHIN, and the pastor/members of Palmerston Christian Reformed Church.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Willa’s memory to: Listowel Christian School, Palmerston Christian Reformed Church, or Teen Challenge Canada, and may be made through the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston.