Obituary of Elizabeth Dawn Vaneyk

(Elizabeth) Dawn Vaneyk

October 23, 1956 to September 19, 2023

It is with great sorrow to announce Dawn’s passing and her Winter Walk (her journey with cancer) coming to an end on Tuesday September 19, 2023.  

Dawn will be greatly missed by her husband Tim Lehman, their son Isaac Lehman and his fiancée Michelle Rene.  Also missing Dawn are her parents Paul and Bessie (Elizabeth) (nee Yeo) Vaneyk and brothers Paul Jan and Angela (nee Bailey) Vaneyk, Blaine Vaneyk and Kathy Pedersen, Blair and Marilyn (nee Van Altena) Vaneyk, Darryl Vaneyk and Gary and Sylvia (nee Magisano) Vaneyk, sister Ellen Vaneyk, many nephews, nieces, and family in the Netherlands. Dawn will also be missed by her friends, many of whom came together to support her family.

Dawn served the community and her faith as the minister for St. Peter’s United Church from 1989 to 2020 when she retired.  Prior to serving St. Peter’s she served three parishes on Manitoulin Island following graduation from the Vancouver School of Theology and ordination in 1984.  During her 31 years at St. Peter’s Dawn led the congregation in the construction of an addition to the building, construction of a labyrinth, creating time and space for the practice of Tai Chi and mindfulness meditation and St. Peter’s being officially recognized as an affirming congregation.  Following retirement Dawn found other outlets for creativity in joining the Sudbury Weavers and Spinners Guild and putting more time into her hobbies of knitting, sewing and weaving, and recently basket weaving.  She loved walking in nature and became an athlete completing various walking events including a number of half marathons.  

A  celebration of life will be held at Tyrone Community Centre on November 5 from 1 pm to 5 pm and a Memorial Service in Sudbury at St. Peter’s United Church, 203 York St.on Oct 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm followed by a reception downstairs in the Heritage Hall.  If you are not able to attend in person the service will be live streamed on:   https://boxcast.tv/view/rev-dawn-vaneyk---memorial-service-october-1-at-3pm-anzwmkr08tzf6nmiutis

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Maison McCulloch Hospice, St. Peter’s United Church, Northern Cancer Foundation, Health Sciences North Foundation or a charity of your choice.