It is with sadness but yet triumph that we announce the final graduation to heaven of Laurie Zylstra, who had lived as a faithful servant for the Lord.
She passed away on May 09, 2017 at the Cowichan District Hospital after suffering a two year battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Although the battle was hard, she persevered and never complained about the circumstance, pain, or the inevitability of its course. Her focus was her family and the final destination that she would be with Jesus! Her final wishes were simple in that she just wanted to be with our wonderful daughter Beth who passed away last year and is with Jesus.
Her life was rich in friendship and family. Laurie was born in Oshawa, Ontario on December 2, 1954 to William and Shirley MacDonald. Her siblings Suellen (Murray) Purdie, Kent (Kim) MacDonald, Leslie Weeks, and her chosen sister friend Phyllis (Collin) Tanner. Her commitment and love to her parents was beyond any expectation as she spent time assisting them in Ontario in their final months and years. She was a shy girl who had some friends to whom have always been special from a very young childhood. After High School Laurie attended Ontario Bible College in the heart of Toronto where she met Bill Zylstra. Laurie had committed her life to Missions and Bill had his heart on becoming a Pastor. This was resolved after they both graduated in May, 1977 and married on August 28, 1976 in that they began as Pastor/missionary with Village Missions of Canada. Ministry was always their motivation and took them to many communities across Canada. Lifetime friends were made and kept. In the last weeks of her life, several couples from throughout the ministry years had visited and a very special visit was had.
Her precious treasures were the three children – Martin William, Beth Ann, and Caleb Kent. She had a very special love for each of them. Our greatest challenge was when Beth passed away on February 20, 2016. We hadn’t yet gotten through this grief that the Lord gave Laurie her prayer that she could be with her in heaven. Laurie loved the grandchildren and there was not a trip to the store that gifts would be picked up for no reason. Marty and his son Noah and his wife Lindsay and Francis; Beth (deceased) and Eamonn and their two girls Katherine and Laurie Donohoe; Caleb and Andrea and their children Jada, Tyson, and Jacob. Laurie’s last weeks were spent sewing and knitting for them.
In the last years Laurie had been working towards a B. Ed. with Vancouver Island University. Her love for children was so strong that she wanted to teach full time. She graduated in June of 2015 after having had chemo however she was committed to being there. In the last year she was able to teach as a Teacher on Call at Duncan Christian School where she loved all the kids. She would come home with a glow but totally exhausted but ready for the next call.
We want to thank the wonderful staff at Cowichan District Hospital for their wonderful care in the last couple days of her life. Enough cannot be said for the special care and attention shown by Dr. A. T Rimmer and his staff. They were with us all the way and showed extraordinary love and concern for Laurie. Thank you to all her friends and our special neighbors in the Cowichan Valley, to our church at New Life Baptist and to our Life Group who have been more than anyone could expect.
The Celebration of Life will be held at New Life Church on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers there will be a table where gifts can be made to the Cowichan Blue Bus Ministry with Youth for Christ.
Online condolences may be made at www.hwwallacecbc.com