Dicky passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23rd at The Elliott in Guelph. Predeceased by her husband, Christiaan (Chris) Glerum, and survived by her children – Moira (Chris Backhouse), Heather and Chris (Joanne Kell-Glerum) – and her much-loved granddaughters Justine MacDonald (Devan), Thea Backhouse and Jaime Glerum. Dicky was born in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands on June 11, 1935 and grew up there with her parents, Dirk and Dirkje Laurentius-Buijs, and her sisters. Her childhood was marked by WWII, the Nazi occupation and the survival of the ‘hunger winter’ of 1944-45. Dicky obtained her B.A. from the University of Leiden and then received a Canada Council Scholarship to pursue her M.A. at Memorial University in Newfoundland. It was in St. John’s that Dicky met Chris, the love of her life, and made the momentous decision to emigrate to Canada. The subsequent years were busy and fulfilling, raising a family with Chris and planning ever-expanding gardens. As long-time residents of King Township, Dicky and Chris were also avid environmentalists and were part of the coalition that sought to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine. Through it all, music was the thread that connected her earliest piano lessons with the later voice lessons she so loved. Consummate accompanist, accomplished recitalist, creative gardener, master of knitting needles and crochet hooks, impassioned debater – and biggest fan of her children and grandchildren. We will miss the impish smiles that became the hallmark of these last few years. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff at The Elliott Community for their exceptional care for Dicky over the last three years. A private service was held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 1:30pm. Guests attended remotely via Zoom by clicking the link in Dicky’s notice on the funeral home website. Arrangements entrusted to the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dicky’s memory to “The Elliott Community” or Ecojustice would be greatly appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Dirkje (Dicky) Glerum in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
519-822-0051
www.wallcustance.com