obituaries

Wijbrandus Hooites-Meursing

February 22, 1949-January 19, 2023

Wijbrandus “Bill” Hooites Meursing, passed away peacefully at home in Point Roberts, Washington on January 19, 2023 after a long struggle with chronic illness.

Bill was born in 1949 in Groningen, the Netherlands. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Anne and Gezina Hooites Meursing and his former wife, Marie-Louise.

He is survived by this loving wife of 37 years, Jeanette Hooites Meursing and children; Dawn (Tim), Laura (Scott), Danica (Nick), Jeffrey (Tessa) and grandchildren; Reese, Lucas, Myu, Harlow, Dennis and Makenna.

Bill immigrated to Canada in 1972; seeking his aspiration to become a pilot he moved to Penticton, B.C., where he took flying lessons. He then moved back to the west coast, living in both Vancouver and Richmond. He was a pilot for Pacific Western Airlines and later worked in their systems operation control center. During this period, Bill also had small businesses in importing needlework from the Netherlands, window-washing and bathtub refinishing.

In the early 1980s, Bill moved to White Rock, where he owned and operated Dutch Boy laundromat. It was then that he was able to pursue his interest in sailing. Ultimately looking for more speed, he bought a motorboat and began exploring the nearby Gulf Islands.

His favorite place to visit was Roche Harbor, San Juan Island. This is where he met the love of his life, Jeanette. He moved to San Juan Island and they married in 1986. Together, they owned the Electric Company restaurant for 13 years.

Along with working together, Bill and Jeanette liked to travel; you could find them on a cruise, boating in the Caribbean, taking a road trip to visit friends and family or flying across the globe. They also loved going down to the marina and sitting on their boat, reading and enjoying a quiet moment together.

They were soulmates, a strong team and always supportive partners to each other.

s Bill Meursing.

In early 2000, they moved to Point Roberts, where they were able to begin their retirement. During his retirement, Bill served for 15 years as a fire commissioner with the Point Roberts fire department. He had a life-long interest in the fire service, often known to chase a fire truck in his earlier years. He always wanted to know where the action was! His time working with the Point Roberts fire department brought him great joy and personal fulfillment.

Bill was a loving husband and father to his children. He adored his grandchildren, and was known for the candy drawer in his desk; he always had a large supply of chocolate bars on hand to share with them. He loved to sit at his desk and watch the grandchildren run around the house or play in the yard in front of him.

He became more of a quiet observer of life in his later years, an avid listener and giver of pointed information to many in the community around him. Bill had a strong penchant for doing things his own way, ususally with a bit of wit, wisdom and kindness all in one.

We were all very fortunate to have him in our lives and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to the Point Roberts fire department and Deb Shields for the dedicated care and compassion you always showed to Bill.

In lieu of a funeral, a celebration of life will be arranged with details to follow.

Online registration will open March 6 for any new student to Point Roberts Primary who will be enrolling in Kindergarten for the 20232024 school year. Please visit our district website at Blainesd.org and click on the Parents and Students tab. Next click on the New Student Online Enrollment link to begin your registration form. If you have questions about our school please contact Jessie Hettinga at jhettinga@blainesd.org.

Henry Rosenthal

Nov. 22, 1933 – Nov. 18, 2022

Henry Rosenthal lived a very active life as a loving husband and a pillar of his community. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he moved to the United States in 1947, at age 14.

He learned electronics in the Air Force, stationed at several bases across the country (1952-1956). Following his military service, he studied at California State University, San Diego, and eventually established a wholesale electronics supply company in Los Angeles, together with his wife, Esther, in 1979.

Henry and Esther married that same year, on Santa Catalina Island. Specializing in avionics, their business proved very successful; they sold it in 1991 and soon thereafter relocated to Point Roberts, living in temporary quarters while their house was under construction.

Henry immediately began to volunteer in the community, greeting newcomers and finding multiple ways to help others. He soon became known affectionately as the “Honorary Mayor of Point Roberts.” Together with Reverend Ernie Loreen, he helped establish the Point Roberts Food Bank; and he was one of the original community organizers of the Point Roberts Clinic.

With Esther, he helped start and lead the Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness Group (PREP) and was trained as a community emergency response team (CERT) member. Henry and Esther were also original members of the Point Roberts Wackie Walkers. As a health conscious, fit and active person – a runner and a walker – Henry was proud to still be able to don his vintage USAF uniform to the end.

In 1989, at the time of the Tiananmen Square protests in China, Henry and Esther became witness to an interesting convergence of family, place, music and international intrigue. A cousin of Henry’s, at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby became involved in protecting a young Chinese musician who did not want to return to China.

She was a world renowned pipa (Chinese lute) player who eventually became a Canadian citizen, married and formed her own performing group with her husband who plays the guitar.

For several years following the unrest in China, Henry’s cousin hid her from Chinese authorities seeking to make her return to China; and Henry and Esther were privileged to meet her and enjoy several private pipa performances at dinners with

s Henry Rosenthal.

the cousin in North Burnaby.

Henry worked tirelessly to keep the food bank operating and serving local residents, primarily with food items of course, but also extending other types of assistance and support to neighbors in need in a community without easy access to social services.

Henry’s compassion and desire to help others was not confined to the south side of the border. After enlisting the assistance of a Canadian service club, Tsawwassen Order of Old Bastards (TOOB), to provide Christmas hampers to Point Roberts families one year, he was recruited to join the TOOB, becoming their first American member. Henry went on to serve on the TOOB’s executive committee for many years and, in turn, recruited several other Point Roberts residents to join. He was recognized as the recipient of the TOOB’s 2021 Honourary Lifetime Award.

On June 25, 2022, Henry was the featured honoree at the Point Roberts Volunteer Appreciation Day; and on July 4, 2022, he led the annual Independence Day parade as Grand Marshal.

Henry especially enjoyed making people laugh, either with funny jokes or tricks. He never allowed anyone to know if he was not feeling well or was in pain. He loved music and attended regular concerts in Canada and Washington. He spearheaded concerts that were presented here in Point Roberts so that people who were not able to leave Point Roberts could also be entertained. He was very good at whistling and, unknown to most, he was an accomplished mandolin player, having started at age 12, but never played in public.

Henry Rosenthal passed away just four days short of his 89th birthday, on November 18, 2022, leaving an indelible imprint on his many friends, family, and community. He is sorely missed by all of us. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 21 at the Point Roberts Firehall at 1 p.m.

ChurCh news

B y G ina G audet

Looking ahead, we church folk are entering a change of season. We are moving out of the liturgical season known as epiphany. Epiphany indicates light, revealing, wonder.

It began with the light of a bright star, which led shamans from the far East to journey many weeks to witness the arrival of the infant son of God.

Through these weeks, we have heard the stories of his preaching, teaching and healing, which revealed to us a radical shift in the salvation story of God’s people.

God the creator, the law-giver, the mountain-top experience, has become God-with-us. Not just with us, but within us, and among us. We are constantly enlightened in real, everyday life.

The season of epiphany ends with another story of light: Jesus invites Peter,

James and John to join him upon a mountain. Now, Jesus spent a lot of time on high places, in prayer and contemplation. The high places were his retreat. This time, he took friends with him. And what they witnessed was worth writing about. They see Jesus literally illuminated, his face and garments shining like sunlight. It is reminiscent of Moses on Mount Sinai when he went to receive the ten commandments. It was written that his face shone so brightly that he had to wear a veil upon descending the mountain. I wonder if Jesus was always bathed in light when he climbed the mountain alone to pray …

As Jesus descends his mountaintop –with his friends/followers – he knows that his life is now directed toward its inexora-

(See Church, page 13)

Classifieds

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Coming up ...

Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events

Dollars for Scholars Open Enrollment: Through Monday, May 15. Students must complete an online profile on pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org.

Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary Care: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., appointment needed. Urgent Care can be accessed through telemedicine or at the clinic Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Always call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services. Hours subject to change. Flu shots available. Info: 360/945-2580.

PR Library Hours: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Library express hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.

Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m., coffee to follow at 9 a.m., Thursdays at the community center, Saturdays at Lily Point. Tuesdays location varies and can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com.

PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 9–10:30 a.m. at the Gulf Road Community Center. Info: prfoodbank.org.

Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays, dine-in or park and come inside the community center to pick up your lunches available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., PR community center. Weekly menus published on post@pointepost.net and Point Interface. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360/945-5424.

Covid-19 PCR testing: Second and fourth Sundays, 10–11 a.m., Point Roberts Fire Hall, 2030 Benson Road. Bring ID and insurance information.

Seedy Saturday: Saturday, February 25, noon –3 p.m., community center. Bring seeds (labeled, please!), take seeds, share the fun of seed starting!

The Commons: Saturday, February 25, noon – 2:30 p.m. in the back room of the community center. You’ll find Seedy Saturday there too, as well as free used books and all. So come down and see what seeds there are that you need for your garden and bring what seeds you can offer to others. History center is also open. It’s warm inside the community center!

Heart Rider: Brock Tully’s Life and Message documentary screening: Sunday, February 26, noon – 2 p.m., The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C. Inspired by part-time Point Roberts resident Brock Tully’s three bicycle trips around North America to raise awareness for a kinder world and bulling prevention. Screening followed by a Q & A with Brock Tully and filmmaker Juan José Cadotte Gajardo. Tickets: brocktully.com.

PR Garden Club: Tuesday, February 28, 7 p.m., community center. Hugelkultur. Public welcome. info: pointrobertsgardenclub.org.

Kindergarten information night: Wednesday, March 1, 4–5 p.m. and 5–6 p.m., Blaine Primary School. Join us for one of two separate one-hour information sessions to learn about kindergarten at Blaine Primary School. Come with your questions! Children welcome.

Carole MacRury Poetry Reading: Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m., PR library. MacRury will be reading a selection of her poems and one about Point Roberts by William Stafford.

Kindergarten Registration: Starting Monday, March 6. All children who will be 5 before September 1 can be registered for kindergarten. Info: blainesd.org/o/point-roberts-primary-school.

PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, March 6, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, March 7, 7 p.m., community center/Zoom. Info: prepgroup17@gmail.com.

Fire District 5: Wednesday, March 8, at 4 p.m., via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com.

PR Hospital District: Wednesday, March 8, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com.

Taxpayers Association: Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: PRTA@pointroberts.net.

PR Park and Recreation: Monday, March 13, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.

Water District: Tuesday, March 14, 5 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Historical Society: Wednesday, March 15, 7 p.m., in the History Center.

PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, March 16, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PREP Chili Cookoff: Saturday, April 8, noon – 2 p.m., Kiniski’s Reef Tavern. Tickets: $10. Prizes for first, second and third. Info: prep group.org.

Septic System Homeowner Training: Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. – noon, community center. Whatcom County Health Department is offering a free training that allows homeowners to perform required evaluation and become eligible for septic system rebates. Register: bit.ly/WCHDHomeownerTraining2023 or call 360/778-6000.

History Center: Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., History Center. Gulf Road Community Center.

Storytime: Wednesdays, 10:30–11 a.m., PR library. For ages 2-6. An open program that includes stories, rhymes and songs with opportunities for movement and interactive participation.

Craft and Game Night: Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Bring a craft to work on or a board game to play.

Whatcom County Al-Anon: Online meetings available via Zoom and GoToMeeting. Info: whatcomafg.org.