Obituary of Adriana Jane Oma van Gaalen

 Adriana Jane Oma van Gaalen (née Noyens)

December 24, 1928 – October 28, 2025

Adriana. Jane. Oma. However you knew her, you knew she lived a life full of courage, creativity, and love—stitched together with resilience and strength. And it wasn’t just her family who felt her warmth; all the neighborhood kids called her Oma too. She belonged to everyone.

Born on Christmas Eve, 1928, in Den Haag, Netherlands, Adriana was the beloved daughter of the late Wilhelimus Cornelis Noyens and Elisabeth Martina Lengers. As the eldest of five children growing up during World War II, she biked more than 30 kilometers to local farms, determined to bring back food for her struggling family. That quiet bravery and fierce devotion became the thread that ran throughout her entire life.

Adriana was a gifted seamstress, designing intricate patterns and sewing countless wedding dresses with care and artistry. Her hands were always creating—whether it was a wedding dress, a garden, pottery, or a hand-knit sweater or hat for someone she loved.

Together with her loving husband, Theodore (Ted) John van Gaalen, who predeceased her in 1992, Adriana made the bold journey from Holland to Canada by boat, with their first child on the way. They settled in Walkerton, where she lovingly retouched photographs taken by Ted—the beginning of a creative partnership that spanned decades.

Together, they raised five children in Shelburne, Toronto, London, and Blenheim.

Ron van Gaalen (Elaine); Andrew van Gaalen; Betty Ann Van Keer (Albert); Ted van Gaalen; and Michelle Archibald (Andrew).

Christmas was always her favorite time of year, and she made it magical—even if the cakes were mortar-like, the Brussels sprouts came with bugs, and, without fail, she forgot to make the gravy. We loved every bite and every laugh that came with it.

Her adventurous spirit thrived on the water, from the motorboat Jane Anne to the sailboat Odyssey in Erieau. Those memories—sailing, laughter, and seagulls—are etched in our hearts forever.

Oma’s creativity endured throughout her life. She taught Arts and Crafts at the Southwest Regional Centre, worked alongside Ted at Kent Colour Lab, and later shared her design expertise at St. Clair College. After Ted’s passing, she embraced pottery, attended craft shows, and continued to fill the world with beauty.

Her garden in Blenheim was a masterpiece, earning her the “Fabulous Front Yard” award and recognition from Communities in Bloom. However, her true masterpiece was the life she built—full of warmth, humor, and unforgettable moments.

Oma’s greatest joy in life was spending time with and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The skills she taught these children will carry on her legacy for generations to come.

She was the cherished grandmother of Jennifer Dunn (Chris), Monique Belanger (Brandon), Kerrie van Gaalen (Matt Campbell), Allicia van Gaalen (Brian Tallay), Debra, Paige, Victor Van Keer (Krista), Adriana Van Keer, and the late Oscar Van Keer (2011), as well as Britney and Braedon.

Adored great-grandmother of Avery, Caden, Ryder, Theo, Juniper, Alora, Beau, Brian, Korbyn, Sophia, Marilyn, Charlotte, Albert, Elizabeth (2019), Steven, and Samuel.

Adriana is survived by her dear sister, Wally Benneker, and her in-laws, Andre van Gaalen and Agnes de Vries. She was predeceased by her brothers Wim, Theo, and Anton, as well as many cherished in-laws, nieces, and nephews in both Canada and the Netherlands.

We will never forget the firecrackers on a chocolate cake, the “Fire Chief” joke at a family reunion, or her ankle-recovery exercise plan that only Oma could invent. Even in her final years at The Village on the Ridge in Ridgetown, she made new friends, loved playing Bingo and solving puzzles, and was always eager to return home from the hospital, looking forward to the next chapter.

Oma’s legacy lives on in every garden we plant, every sweater we wear, and every story we tell. She showed us how to live with strength, joy, and a twinkle in her eye. We miss her deeply, but her spirit is woven into the fabric of our lives—forever.

Family and friends will gather at McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street, Blenheim, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Words of Remembrance beginning with prayers at 3:00 p.m. A private interment is scheduled for a later date at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Adriana’s memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or the Kidney Foundation of Canada and would be deeply appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.

McKinlay Funeral Home

141 Park Street, Blenheim

519-676-3451