Born Helena Litjens on 25th March 1935 in Velden, Limburg, Netherlands, Leny Willemsen was the middle child of five.
Leny worked in the family hotel doing the rooms and working in the bar and kitchen. To get extra money she took on the backbreaking work of asparagus picking.
In 1956, when Leny was 21, she married a local farmer – Harry Willemsen. Harry was ambitious and determined to make his fortune by emigrating to a land of opportunity so just a few weeks after their wedding Leny and Harry flew to Australia.
In those days the trip took 3 days, stopping each night. What a brave move to go to the other side of the world with virtually no knowledge of what was in store for them, and, in Leny’s case, not being able to speak the language. They started their new life just outside of Adelaide in South Australia.
After nearly four years in South Australia and two children (Maureen and Jeffrey) later, Leny and Harry moved to Galston in 1960, close to Harry’s cousin, Lou Janssen and family. For three years they lived in a caravan on the property of Mrs and Mrs Moulds in Crosslands Road, while Harry worked in an Engineering Factory in Turramurra and Leny sewed children’s clothes. During this time a third child, Shirley, was born.
A five acre block of land, later famously known as The White Duck, was purchased in 1963 and became the start of a prosperous farming period. Leny and Harry over the years farmed ducks, pigs, oranges, lemons, peaches and nectarines on the increasing land they acquired along Chadd Street. The farming enterprise was a whole family affair. Later on Harry got into Dexter cattle and naturally Leny got on board with that too.
Of course Leny was a hard worker and did it very tough in the beginning but as time went on she became an avid traveller. Harry wasn’t keen on travelling but was more than happy for Leny to go wherever her fancy took her. From her first visit back to the Netherlands in 1971 it is impossible to count the number of overseas trips Leny made; let alone the numerous bus trips around Australia. Leny’s chicken dance became legendary on these trips.
Leny also volunteered much of her time to the Galston Public School Mothers Club, Ladies Auxiliary Club, Hills Soccer Club, Netball, Meals on Wheels; and was active in the local View and Probus Clubs up until early 2024. She loved shopping, clothes and jewellery. Leny was always immaculately turned out at every occasion and won numerous “Best Dressed” prizes.
After losing her husband of 48 years in 2004, Leny kept up her fast pace of life and travelling, while continuing to live alone at The White Duck. In late 2023, following a decline in mobility and body weight, a serious fall hospitalised Leny and she subsequently entered aged care at Arcare in Glenhaven. This was unavoidable but devastating to Leny who had lived in her lovely house for 54 years. While pining for her home, Leny’s health continued to deteriorate until her passing on 29 December 2024.
Leny leaves behind 3 children, and their spouses; 8 grandchildren, and their spouses; and 19 great-grandchildren.
