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Lisa Vandonk

4/15/2023

18 Comments

 
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Lisa was a ray of sunshine in everyone’s life that she touched. She always had a way of finding joy in the small things that could brighten anyone’s day. Lisa passed away peacefully surrounded by her adoring family on a beautiful spring morning, Saturday, April 15th. Lisa will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered by all.

Loving wife to Charlie, adoring mother to Charlene (Doug), Tyler (Hillary), and Emily (Richard); and infatuated grandmother to Benjamin. Beloved daughter to Kaj and Nielsine. Dear sister to Jens (Josie), Karsten (Teena), Linda (Adrian), Paul (Valerie) and Ken (Kathy). Caring aunt to her many nieces and nephews, and will be greatly missed by extended family and friends.

Her passion in life was caring for children. This was seen through the admiration, love, and joy she took in raising her own children, and extended to her nieces, nephews and all the children she taught throughout the years as an Early Childhood Educator.

She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her family and friends. Whether it was a holiday, cottage weekend, or lazy Sunday she did whatever possible to make sure those moments were precious to all. She made every moment count.

Anyone who had the good fortune to have Lisa in their lives as a family member, friend, neighbour, teacher or colleague knows how special she was, how special she made others feel, and how greatly we all will miss her.

Lisa’s family would like to thank the Cambridge Memorial Hospital oncology team and staff at the Innisfree House for their delicate care throughout her journey.

Lisa’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday April 20th at 3:00 pm for a celebration of life and interment to follow at the Sunset Villa Association.

In lieu of flowers, in her memory please consider donating to the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation in designation to MRI funding.

Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com. Please visit Lisa's obituary notice on Facebook.
18 Comments
Waltraud (Wally) Ebner
4/17/2023 01:32:26 pm

My condolences in the death of Lisa. She will be missed by her mother, husband, children and the rest of the Madsen family. Lisa had a wonderful smile. I will always remember her.

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Cathie Madsen
4/17/2023 02:30:26 pm

Charlie, Charlene, Tyler and Emily,

I was saddened to hear of Lisa's passing, Lisa was a bright light in your family and I hope you know she touched many. May her love of life and family surround you at this difficult time.

"Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories"

Hugs and Love
Cathie

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Wendy Smith
4/17/2023 06:39:36 pm

To Charlie, Charlene, Tyler, Emily and family
Your mom was an amazing woman who brought so much laughter and joy to so many, including the many children's lives she touched throughout her career. She was a wonderful colleague, friend and most of all someone who loved her family immensely. The stories she would tell the videos of Ben she would share, she glowed with admiration for you all. She is going to be missed beyond words and I was blessed to have called her a friend.

"I believe Tears can Heal
That Memories can comfort
That Loves lives on forever"

Thinking of your entire family,
Wendy and George

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Rob, Helen, and Kass Fernandes
4/17/2023 09:23:39 pm

We are terribly saddened to hear about Lisa’s passing. Our heartfelt sympathy go out to you and the family. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

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Joan & Francis Kittel
4/18/2023 09:11:35 am

Sad to hear of Lisa's passing - a tremendous loss to her family & friends. Lisa was very dedicated to her family, and her work with young children & their families.

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Rita Kloepfer
4/18/2023 01:28:51 pm

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother.

I have fond memories of babysitting Charlene on Henry Street all those years ago.

I am sorry for your loss,
Rita

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Nancy Dickieson
4/18/2023 04:51:32 pm

Charlie and family my condolences. Lisa will be missed by all who knew her.

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virginia pearce
4/18/2023 04:55:54 pm

My family has a lot of good memories from a time when Lisa was at home with a very young Emily and our Michael. It was always easy to laugh with Lisa. She sparked confidence and delight in adventure.
An amazing woman, whom we will remember with love and gratitude.
Virginia, Jim and Michael Pearce

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Debbie and Tim Rickert
4/18/2023 07:36:52 pm

Hi Charlie and family. It was a shock to hear of Lisa's passing. I haven't seen her for years but always kept in touch with her on Facebook. I remember her as a very friendly spiritual person who always had a smile on her face. Lisa will be sadly missed by all her friends and family. Treasure all the beautiful memories created together through the years and hold them close to your heart ❤️

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Debbie Collison
4/18/2023 08:03:12 pm

Lisa will be truly missed by many, but more importantly, she will be remembered.
Lisa was my supervisor at Christopher Children’s Centre, and she was also my friend.
Lisa was often the first person in in the morning and almost always the last to leave. She dedicated many hours to the children, staff, parents, and community during her time at the Region. She made me work hard to not only do my job to my highest potential, but to learn and grow to my highest potential. I will always remember Lisa’s last day at the centre. At the end of the day she held her head high and headed to the classrooms to say goodbye to her staff. I will always treasure the days she sat at my lunch table and chatted up a storm with my preschoolers, the staff get togethers in the last few years that she always attended no matter how she was feeling, but most of all I will remember her beautiful smile, the twinkle in her eyes and the look she would give us when we were talking when she talking at a staff meeting.
We loved hearing her stories about her family, she truly loved all of you and could not have been more proud of all of you.
Thank you for sharing her with us, I know we took up a lot of her time.
Debbie

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Kim Prattis
4/18/2023 09:07:00 pm

Lisa was a very strong amazing person my condolences are with all her friends and family during this difficult time

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Brigitte & Ross Clark
4/18/2023 10:35:58 pm

Dear Charlie & Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
We are so grateful to have known Lisa.
She was a wonderful person.
With our Sincere Condolences
Brigitte & Ross Clark

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Carolyn and Brian Davis
4/20/2023 06:37:26 am

All our Deepest Sympathy Charlie, and to your entire family for your loss.
Lisa was a lovely lady and we were truly blessed to have known her.
Brian and I remember having supper with you both at Linda and Adrian's .Lisa was laughing and happy .Lisa was an amazing person ,always smiling . Our hearts are with you and her family.
Sincerely Carolyn and Brian

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Abraham family
4/21/2023 06:39:12 am

To Charlie, Charlene, Tyler and Emily,

We are very sad to hear that Lisa has passed. It was way too soon and we are thinking of you and the rest of the Madsen family and her friends.
Love from the whole Abraham family from Denmark

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The Cassidy Family
4/21/2023 08:37:23 am

We count ourselves so fortunate to have had Lisa as a caregiver of two of our kids along side Tyler and Emily when they were young. She provided fantastic care and instilled a sense of adventure, creativity, and independence in them, all with a big smile on her face. I always enjoyed the chats with Lisa when I was picking them up. We were so sorry to hear about her passing, and send our condolences to each of you. Please know that she made a lasting impression on all of us.

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Cheryl, Jim, Nolan Shakira Johnson-Jorgenson
4/22/2023 06:42:55 pm

To all of Lisa's beautiful family,

I got to know Lisa back in the late 80s and 90s.  I lived in Cambridge and was starting a second business in Kitchener. I needed a babysitter for a few days a week for my son Nolan when I was going to be in Kitchener. Lisa had Tyler (Nolan & Tyler were about the same age) and was wanting to babysit in her home in Kitchener. I had previously been interviewing other babysitters before I met Lisa. During my initial interview with Lisa, my son Nolan (about 9 months old) left my lap and went right over to Lisa and got onto her lap...what a ringing endorsement in knowing Lisa was the right person. This was the only person Nolan went to on his own when interviewing babysitters. Shortly after I started with Lisa as my babysitter, Lisa informed me that her family was moving to Cambridge. This move worked out even better, as I would drop Nolan off first at Lisa's home in Cambridge before I went to Kitchener.  Years passed and I had my daughter Shakira and Lisa had Emily. So our kids grew up and did activities together for a few years before the kids went to different schools.  I have always thought throughout the years how extremely fortunate I was to have met Lisa and had such an amazing person taking care of my children.  
Lisa had such a beautiful soul, kind and a very magnetic personality.  Lisa made a wonderful mark in this world and will be greatly missed.

Love & hugs to Lisa's family and friends.
From
Cheryl and family Jim, Nolan & Shakira Johnson-Jorgenson

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Katharine Koski
4/23/2023 01:51:32 pm

I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing family and friends my deepest sympathies. I am hoping for peace and strength for you during this difficult time. And I hope you will find comfort in Lisa’s shining bright light. ox

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Marni Mueller
4/24/2023 10:28:38 am

I am so sorry to hear of Lisa's passing. She will surely be missed. My condolences to the family.

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