Obituary of Henrietta Hielema

Henrietta Hielema is now with Jesus, reuniting with her son Gregg and her sister
Esther Huinink and her mother Hilje Joldersma Huinink and father Bernard Huinink.
After a brief battle with lung cancer, peacefully, in her sleep, Henrietta left this world.
She leaves behind her children, Brenda Bruinooge (Paul), (Heather Zepnick) and
Crystle Numan (David), along with grandchildren Geoff (girlfriend Sarah), Melissa
(Tanner), Noah (Alayna), Joel (Clarise), Josh (fiancée Emily), and Megan, and greatgrandchildren
Saylor, Elio, and Maelie.

Henrietta was born August 2, 1949 in The Netherlands and arrived in Canada shortly
after World War II. She is survived by her siblings Leida Gerrits (Henry), Henry Huinink,
Shirley Vos (John), and Jim Huinink (Shirley).

She was active in her church and community, always looking for ways to help those
in need. She took special care to prepare for leading congregational prayer. She loved
her grandchildren and nieces and nephews and took time to visit them often; driving to
Wisconsin and Ontario a few times each year. She attended as many graduations and
weddings and special events as she could.

Henrietta was a life-long learner and teacher, starting her career in Ontario, then
teaching in Manitoba and Alberta, with a return to Ontario and then finishing in
Manitoba. She was instrumental in starting special education programs and supporting
every student. She also helped found the Manitoba Association for Schooling at Home
(MASH) in the 1980s.

So many books! Henrietta loved to read, loved to write, and bought so many books.
Her shelves are full of books on architecture, art (Impressionism, Van Gogh, and Group
of Seven especially), children's books, and religious books. She even published books,
including her dad's memoirs and her memoir for her time at Fairview Christian school
in Alberta.

Over the years, she acquired a large collection of art, both prints and originals from
Group of Seven to Indigenous to local artists like Gerald Folkerts and Martin Postuma.
She loved to dance and loved the Blues, helping out at many Blues festivals in
Canada. She was active on many boards including Indwell (Ontario), Anishinabe
R.E.S.P.E.C.T., Christian Reformed Home Mission Committee for Classis Lake Superior,
Grassie Villa Life Lease, and Cornerstone Life Lease Estates.

She signed all her emails with:
 

Dance as if no one were watching
Sing as if no one were listening
Love as if you believe in magic,
Live every day as if it were your last.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Winnipeg, MB on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 2pm. 

Live stream is available from their website (https://covenantcrc.ca/). 

Another celebration will be held in Kitchener, ON sometime in the summer. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Indwell (Ontario) and Calvin Christian School (Winnipeg).