Van Niekerk,, Allyson, Jean (née Van Dop) (Died)

After an extended and courageous battle with cancer Allyson, age 42, finally surrendered to this illness on August 28, 2024 surrounded by the love and tears of family and friends. She is deeply mourned by her loving husband, her soul mate and her confidant, Jeff; her beautiful children, Kees, Henk and Laura for whom she was the epitome of love and caring; and her devastated parents Catherine and Richard Van Dop, to whom she was the shining light of their lives. Allyson was the life-long best friend and eventually sister-in-law to Katie Odegaard (Greg Van Niekerk), sharing a friendship filled with laughter, love, and travel.

Allyson is also deeply mourned by her loving aunts, Susan McCallum and Cresson Hunt and their families, as well as the members of Jeff's family who were quick to warmly welcome her into their hearts; she brightened their lives simply by her presence and she loved having an "additional' family. Many thanks to Allyson's multitude of dear friends with whom she shared her life, her dreams, her joys and her sorrows and who embraced Allyson with tender loving care in her hours of need.

Allyson fulfilled her dream by becoming an elementary school teacher. Not only was she respected and embraced by her colleagues but she was loved by her pupils as much as she loved them.

Thank you to the nurses and reception staff at The Woodstock Chemotherapy Clinic for their kindness. A special thanks to Dr. Aaron Regis and Nurses, Kizzy, Sharon, Emily and Ally of the Peacock Palliative Care Team for their on-going care and compassion for Allyson during her battle with cancer.

As per Allyson's wishes cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 20, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home (1997 Dundas Street E.) A Celebration of Life will be held at Jeff and Allyson's home on Saturday, September 21, at 2 p.m. (7 William Street, Ingersoll N5C 1M2). Allyson loved nothing more than being surrounded by loved ones and flowers, which is how she would have wanted her life to be celebrated.

Allyson did not deserve an early end to her life and this world is much less beautiful without her.