Obituary of Eveline Adelheid Boysen

With sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Eveline Adelheid Boysen on December 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

 

Eveline was born in Berlin, Germany, on April 5, 1940. Her early years were shaped by the turbulence of war. After being forced to flee their home, her family found temporary refuge in the village of Neudorf, then moved to Gefrees. Following the end of the war, they settled in Frankfurt. In 1955, Eveline and her family made a life-changing journey to Canada, arriving by boat in Montreal. They eventually made Vancouver their home, where Eveline graduated from Britannia Secondary School.

 

It was on the tennis courts of Stanley Park that Eveline met her first husband, Herbert Kettenacker. They married and were blessed with four children: two daughters and two sons. In 1974, Eveline began her rewarding career with the Vancouver Public Library, a position she loved and excelled in.

 

 Eveline met her second husband, Dirk Boysen, and they were married on Salt Spring Island in 1991. Together, they retired to Gabriola Island, where Eveline blossomed as a gardener, basket weaver, and a passionate cook who delighted in preparing delicious meals for family gatherings. In their retirement, Eveline and Dirk enjoyed winters in Mexico and traveled to various parts of the world, making unforgettable memories.

Eveline had an unwavering love for animals, and they were always an important part of her life. A strong advocate for human rights, she found joy and purpose in her volunteer work with Amnesty International Canada.

 

Eveline is survived by her brother, Franz (Sachie), her four children: Karen, Arnold (Maureen), Colin, and Jennifer (Rick), as well as her beloved grandchildren: Kia, Nadege, Cole, Natalie, and Zachary, and her great-granddaughter, Ivy-Mae. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Margaret Harpain, her husband’s Herbert Kettenacker and Dirk Boysen, and her grandson Mathew. Eveline is also survived by Dirk’s children, Mark (Miriam) and Brigit (Luis), and Dirk’s grandchildren: Gabriela, Kai, Marcos, and Nicolas.

 

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Eveline’s dedicated Interior Health team, Dr. Chesney, Dr. McIver, Dr. Shopay, Brianna Rota, and Debbie Reid for their compassionate care. We also extend our thanks to the staff and neighbors at Kootenay Street Village, who embraced Eveline with warmth and kindness during her three years there, and to Shauna Beaulac for her devoted companionship.

 

A celebration of Eveline’s life will take place on Gabriola Island in 2025, followed by a living reef burial. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Amnesty International Canada.