Sophia Margaretha Tamis

Tamis, Sophia Margaretha (Sophie), passed away peacefully on Jan. 14th, 2026 in Surrey Memorial Hospital at the age of 95. She is lovingly remembered by Arie, her husband of 69 years, and her children; John (Linda), Agnes (Richard), Linda (Harry), Diane, Ron (Pam); her grandchildren Jeanette, Craig, Jessica (Curtis), Chad, Janine, Chris, John, Thomas (Kate), Brian (Fiona), Amanda (Lynden), Clint (Chris), Reece, Cassidy, Chase, Kaitlyn, Kaden, Mitchell and Luke; her great-grandchildren Sierra, Levi, Felix, Spring, Annie and Rhett. Sophia was predeceased by her daughter Mary (Dick).

Sophie was born on March 5th, 1930 (Ash Wednesday) in Woudsend, Friesland, The Netherlands. She grew up on a dairy farm and later became a seamstress. In 1955 she travelled to Surrey, BC, Canada to visit her brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Tina DeJong. There she met Adrian (Arie) Tamis. They soon fell in love and returned to Holland to be married on Jan. 17th, 1957. Together, Sophie and Arie returned to Canada to start a Dairy Farm of their own. They joined Precious Blood Parish in Cloverdale and were a part of a strong community of “Dutchies” who had all immigrated at that time. Over time, Sophie and Arie welcomed 6 children. Mom put her skills as a seamstress to good use making most of her children’s clothing. She also taught all her daughters to sew, knit and do needlework. Mom was very active in the St. Teresa’s Circle, the Funeral Choir and Treasurer of the PEC for Cloverdale Catholic Elementary School. She and Arie volunteered many hours to help build Precious Blood Church and Cloverdale Catholic School. When her grandchildren began to arrive, Sophie helped the new Moms with babysitting, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Later she volunteered with the Canadian Food For Children, knit many baby toques for newborns, and knit many beautiful sweaters for her children and grandchildren. She was exceptionally gifted in these skills. Upon Arie’s early retirement, she took up cross-stitch. She loved to read, garden and was known to visit a Casino now and again. Sophie and Arie joined their friends to play cards and go bowling. They also did a lot of travelling. In her last years, Sophie was content to be at home with Arie, reading books, visiting with her children and grandchildren and sharing all the memories of a long and fulfilling life with Arie her lifelong partner and forever love.

Prayers will be offered on Thursday, Jan. 29th at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew’s Parish, 16079 88th Ave. Surrey, B.C. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 30th at 10:00 AM. Fr. Tien Tran, celebrant. 
The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at: https://www.legacystreaming.com/kearney/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pro-Life or Canadian Food for Children.