Nicola de Boer Visser
March 2, 1946 – May 28, 2024

It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of Nieke de Boer Visser, on her own terms.

She was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 2, 1946, to Nicolaas de Boer and Johanna Piels. She had an much older brother, Ger, who predeceased her in 2012.

After her schooling in 1966, a Gymnasium, she went to the University of Amsterdam to do her medical degrees, which she finalized in 1973. At the Gymnasium in Amsterdam she met her future husband Kees. They married on October 10, 1969.

After their doctoral degrees (Kees in geology), they left for Zambia in 1974, where she worked as a medical professional for the Health and Pollution Control Department of the Zambian mining industry.

In 1982 they left Zambia for Calgary in Canada, where Kees was employed by Petro-Canada. Nieke discovered that Canada did not recognize her medical degrees which embittered her until her death.

She found employment with the Aids Clinic, as an assistant in Calgary until a car accident in 1992 stopped this career. In 1994 she followed Kees to Algeria, Tunisia and France, where Kees was Exploration Manager for North Africa and the Middle East.

In 2003 Kees retired, and they moved to Salt Spring Island. Nieke volunteered energetically with the Salt Spring Nature Club, where she joined the Board in various capacities and was President from 2014 to 2016. With her energy she organized a number of Camps and one of the most successful BC Nature AGM’s in 2015.

She loved animals and had many dogs and cats; she was also active in birding.

She leaves behind her devastated husband of 54 years, Kees, who learned a lot from her, and two children, Marjolein (born 1974) and Frank (born in 1976); also two grandchildren, Calum and Sebastian.

We thank Dr. Slakov and Dr. Kalf for their help with this difficult journey in the last few years.

At Nieke’s request, please no flowers, but a donation to the SCPA or Dying with Dignity.