Sister Moniquem. Vredeveld

Sister Monique Vredeveld, of Denver, died peacefully in her sleep on October 30, 2015. She was born Theodora Maria on May 20, 1927 in the Dutch East Indies where her father managed a quinine plantation. She was educated at an Ursuline Catholic boarding school. During World War II, she and her family were captured and imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp. Sister Monique, her mother and sisters were separated from her father and brother in the camp. Her parents, especially her father, had instilled in her a great love of the Lord and a belief that He would always be with her. This faith, along with her inner strength and an iron will to survive, sustained her through years of back-breaking work in the camp digging graves and burying bodies. The family was united when the camp was liberated at the end of the war, however, that freedom was short lived. Two weeks later, they were captured by the Indonesians and imprisoned for being Dutch and Christian. The family would not be rescued and released until 1947, a year and a half after the end of the war. Almost 20 and very ill, Sister Monique was sent to the Netherlands to seek medical attention where her family joined her a year later. Extremely smart and hardworking, Sister Monique was able to catch up on her school work and graduated from high school in 1949. She entered the Ursuline convent after graduation and returned to Indonesia after taking her vows. Sister Monique continued her education in Indonesia, ultimately receiving a Doctorate in math and physics. She taught at the high school and college levels, and in her last years, transitioned into counseling and spiritual work. In 1979 she was given the opportunity to go to Denver for Leadership Training. This trip would mark the beginning of a monumental change in her life.

While her work in Indonesia was fulfilling, aspects of her life there were very difficult. As an Ursuline nun, she was required to leave behind the life she had before she took her vows--including her family. Not being a part of their lives for so many years took its toll. She was also discouraged from expressing the trauma she'd endured as a child. Her life in the U.S. would provide her the freedom to heal fully and open her heart.
Sister Monique began her Leadership Training at Loretto Heights College in 1979. As she worked with the Spiritual Director to expand her counseling skills, she also had the opportunity to address the pain she had held in since her childhood. She unburdened and unlocked her heart. For the rest of her life, hundreds of people would be the benefactors of her unfettered heart, energy, enthusiasm and humor.

In 1980 she was diagnosed with bladder cancer which had spread to other organs. She made the decision to remain in Denver for medical care. Over the next 10 years she would battle cancer, enduring chemotherapy, radiation, and 17 surgeries. Once again, her faith, strong spirit and determination to survive would sustain her through this illness. She began to run and exercise in the belief that it would improve her health. She would maintain her love of exercise throughout her life. She jogged and competed in long distance races well into her eighties, winning award after award for her age group and inspiring many others along the way. Her bike was her main means of transportation until a knee injury sidelined her at 85. She spent as much time as possible hiking and enjoying the mountains of Colorado, as well as the countryside of Holland on her many trips home. On her 63rd birthday she was certified as a Jazzercise aerobics instructor, the first person over 60 and the first nun to hold both of those distinctions.

Sister Monique was hired as Assistant Chaplain at St. Joseph hospital in the early 1980's and spent 18 years counseling, supporting and loving AIDS, cancer and mental health patients. While she retired from St. Joseph at the age of 70, she would continue this work until the end of her life.
Sister Monique volunteered for years at an Animal Hospital as well as at RTD and she lent her time to supporting causes for the homeless. She was a well-known and beloved pillar of her Capitol Hill community for over 30 years. Most, if not all, of her friends have enjoyed a cup of coffee with her at Caffe Sanora or "snackies" and a drink (only one!) at The Irish Snug. An avid Bronco fan since 1979, she only missed a game if there was someone in need to minister to. In 1989 she became a U.S. citizen, a privilege she held dear.

Certainly the most important thing to happen to Sister Monique after moving to the U.S. was having the freedom to reconnect with her family. She returned home to Holland twice a year and spoke often of the love she had for her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Her sister, Tine, traveled to Denver every May to celebrate Sister Monique's birthday with her. Over the last 30 years Sister Monique and Tine traveled extensively together in the U.S., Italy and the Netherlands. She called Tine her "soul mate."

Sister Monique is survived by her sisters, Tine Wagelmans, Mieke Verhoeven and Cecilia Vredeveld, her brother Herman Vredeveld, over 30 nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count.

A memorial service will be held at Cheesman Park Pavilion at 12:00 Noon on Monday, November 16 to be followed by a celebration of life at The Irish Snug, 1201 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance Sister Monique Vredeveld can be made to:
The Center www.glbtcolorado.org
Denver Dumb Friends League www.ddfl.org
Forgotten Felines Rescue – Denver http://forgottenfelinesdenver.org
Coalition for the Homeless www.coalitionforthehomeless.org


To share a condolence or a memory with Sister Monique's family, please visit the guestbook below.