Elisabeth Geleynse

Elisabeth “Betty” Geleynse (née Hoogendoorn)

August 15, 1926 – September 14, 2026

Elisabeth “Betty” Geleynse passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on September 14, 2026, at Holland Christian Homes in Brampton, Ontario, at the age of 100.

Betty was born on August 15, 1926, in Bunschoten, the Netherlands, the second youngest of eight children born to Arendina Plomp and Herman Hoogendoorn, a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. Her teenage years were spent under Nazi occupation, as war unfolded on the streets of her town and even within her own home. Those experiences forged an abiding and unshakable faith in Jesus Christ that remained the foundation of her life until her last breath.

In 1951, Betty emigrated to Canada, first settling in Brockville, Ontario. In 1953 she married Maarten Geleynse in Peterborough, and together they later made their home in what is now Mississauga. They raised their two sons, Martin and Eric, there until Maarten’s death in 1976. In 1993, Betty married Marinus DeBonte, who also predeceased her.

Though generally a cautious person, Betty surprised everyone when she and Marinus, together with close friends, set off on a series of unconventional adventures around the world, from Europe to remote corners of Asia, the Pacific and the jungles of South and Central America.

Betty had a sharp mind and a wit to match. She could be strong-willed, but she was always self-controlled and dignified, with strong convictions grounded in a deep knowledge of her faith. That faith was her defining characteristic. It was something to be lived, discussed, defended and passed on.

Betty lived through war and occupation, crossed an ocean to begin a new life in Canada, and experienced both loss and renewal. The world around her changed beyond recognition during her hundred years, but the foundation on which she stood did not. She leaves behind more than memories and descendants. As the matriarch of a family spanning four generations, she showed us all what Christian faith looks like when lived with conviction, intelligence, courage and constancy. That abiding faith is her greatest legacy.

Betty is survived by her sister, Johanna, and was predeceased by her siblings Dien, Willem, Alida, Herman, Roeland and Cornelia.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons Martin (Rose) Geleynse and Eric (Elizabeth) Geleynse; her daughter-in-law Anna (Henry) Dykstra; her grandchildren Melissa (Jon) Nodwell, Michelle (Colin) Hordyk, Daniel (Julianne) Geleynse, and Sarah (Alfonso) Coto; and her great-grandchildren Jordan and Adelynn Nodwell, Brynlie and Colden Hordyk, and Sebastian, Luka and Lilah Coto.

She is also remembered by her stepson Harold (Debbie) DeBonte; step-grandchildren Richard (Kerry), Joshua (Melanie), Curtis, and Matthew (Julianna); and step-great-grandchildren Nicholas and Daniel.

Interment will take place at 10:30 a.m. on September 21 at Springcreek Cemetery, 1390 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga for family members.

A funeral service celebrating Betty’s life and faith will be held at 1:00 p.m. September 21 at Heritage Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 7900 McLaughlin Road South, Brampton.

A reception will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Horizon Hall at Holland Christian Homes.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to World Renew, the disaster relief and development organization of the Christian Reformed Church.