Dolores Buurma

On May 3, 1925 a little girl was born to Fred and Genevieve Oppeneer named Dolores Jean. Holland, Michigan was a great place to be a child and enjoy the companionship of her many siblings and school friends. It was at a local supermarket that she met and fell in love with her supervisor, Clarence Buurma. Right after his discharge from the US Army they were married and that was the beginning of her love affair with her family.

They had six children born in Holland. Dory, as everyone called her, loved her family and worked hard at home to make each of her children’s childhood experiences the BEST she could. Friends of their children loved coming to the Buurma house because of her unconditional acceptance, love, kindness and the freedom to be just who they were. . . CHILDREN!

In the 1960’s Clary felt called to become a foreign missionary; but the mission boards were not too keen on sending a family with 6 children to the mission field. SO, he moved his wife and the four children (those still at home) to Mescalero, New Mexico where their faith expression had a mission church. Dory quickly adapted to the Apache lifestyle and spent years teaching Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, leading and loving cub scouts, girl scouts and women’s group at the church. It is written that “no history of the Mescalero Reformed Church would be complete without the mention of Clarence and Dolores Buurma.” Their influence and leadership on the Mescalero Apache Reservation is still felt today. Clary and Dory adopted two Mescalero children during this time and were foster parents to so many beautiful Apache children.

Dory is Grandmother to 23 amazing children and Great Grandmother to 27 more amazing children! Her love for them was deep and her great JOY was in entertaining them when she could and more recently in reflecting and hearing about their accomplishments. She had a gift of finding the greatness in every person and situation. When you were with her you KNEW that you meant everything to her.

Clary and Dory left New Mexico in 2005 and moved to NE Pennsylvania where she became the “best friend” of all who knew her at the senior apartments. Clary died in 2006 and she continued to live independently spending lots of time in prayer for her family, in Bible study with her new friends at Colonial Towers, spending time with her “Gaither” family videos and time with her oldest daughter Pat, her son-in-law John and their families.

2010 brought her to Ohio where she enjoyed her new friends at Reflections and the special companionship of Jim Chatfield. Visits from her family brought her the greatest JOY.

In 2014 dementia, wet macular degeneration, Parkinson’s, deafness and a broken hip brought her to Rockmill Rehab Centre just outside of Lancaster, Ohio. It was here that she added another “family” of staff that shared their love with her and her with them. On January 15 Dory left her earthly home to receive complete JOY and PEACE that passes ALL understanding. Thank you Lord for welcoming Dory HOME to the place that you have prepared for her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, many of her siblings, her husband Clarence Buurma, two daughters, Jane A Buurma/Murray and Kathy H. Guzman, and som-in-law Robert Murray.

She is survived by one sister, Elaine Sloothaak in Holland, MI. Her surviving children are Patricia (John) Warneke, Kathleen Buurma, Douglas (Roberta) Buurma, Maryanne (Mike) Dave, David (Marcia) Buurma and Carl (Angelita) Buurma. She is also survived by many adoring nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015, at 3 p.m. at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home located at 405 N. Columbus St. in Lancaster, Ohio with Michael Warneke officiating. Calling will be held on Monday at the funeral home from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Caring Cremation® has taken place with the funeral home.

Memorials can be given to your local Hospice organization or Fair Hope Hospice of Lancaster, OH, Rockmill Rehab Centre of Carroll, OH or to one of her favorite non- profits, Fields of Dreams Uganda.org ( Directed by her grandson, Michael Warneke).

Calling Hours

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ,Monday, January 19, 2015
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel
405 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Memorial Service

3:00 PM ,Monday, January 19, 2015
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel
405 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130