We are sad to announce that Etie (Ellen) Grypma-James passed away, peacefully, on Thursday 5th March, at the age of 74.

Ellen will be greatly missed by her husband Peter, and her sons David and Stuart (Ana). She was the devoted Grandma of Kristina and Nicholas. She leaves behind siblings John (Lomi), Gerry (Liz), Martin, Sylvia, Anne, Robert (Dawn) and Raymond (Lisa). Sadly predeceased by Harold. Ellen will be missed by many nieces and nephews, and members of several extended families.

Ellen was the first-born to her parents, Rense and Anna, after they came to Canada from the Netherlands. Her first language was Friesian, and she remained fluent. She learned Dutch at church, and English at school. In the late 1960s Ellen started to develop her artistic skills in photography. In 1971 she graduated as a Registered Nursing Assistant (Licenced Practical Nurse) at Kingston General Hospital.

In 1974 Ellen travelled to Europe, visited many members of her ancestral families, and whilst exploring Switzerland she met her husband-to-be, Peter. Ellen and Peter married in Odessa (Ontario) in 1976. Subsequently we moved to England, where our two sons were born.

In 1983 Ellen, Peter, David and Stuart came to Canada, and settled in Ottawa. Ellen built her nursing career at Extendicare New Orchard Lodge, where she also represented fellow-employees at local and national levels at their Union, SEIU. She retired in 2013.

Ellen enjoyed the outdoors, and she loved to travel and explore. As a family we biked, camped, canoed and skied; she encouraged David and Stuart in many outdoor and sporting activities; she was a good swimmer, and she was determined that their swimming skills should match hers. Outdoor activities also provided ongoing photographic opportunities. Coming from a Dutch heritage it seemed inevitable that Ellen would create a garden with a wide variety of plants and flowers. She was a good cook, and she made sure to pass those skills on to David and Stuart.

Later in life Ellen developed Parkinson Disease. She didn’t let that prevent her from taking extended holidays and cruises, memorable amongst which was a cruise on a traditional sailboat in the Netherlands where, by chance, the crew were mostly Friesian speakers, and she was able again to use her first language!

As her illness progressed, Ellen remained comfortable at home, cared for by her family, with PSWs and nurses visiting regularly. During her final days at the ACE Unit of the Queensway-Carleton Hospital she was carefully looked after by the Palliative Care team. We are very grateful to all those members of the nursing and medical professions who helped her over the last few years.

There has been a private gathering for close family members, and a cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Ellen’s Life will be held at a date to be announced.

Ellen would be honoured if you were to consider donating to a charity of your choice in her memory.