Obituary of Diva Lozano Willemse

Diva Willemse passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, December 6, 2020 in Hillsborough, North Carolina. She was 82.

Diva was born on January 3, 1938, in Tolima, Colombia, to Antonio Lozano and Clementina Aya Lozano. The eldest of eight children, she grew up surrounded by nature living on her family's farm. She loved her family's horses and was a talented rider. As a young woman, she loved to dance and went out dancing with her friends whenever she had the chance. Her proficiency for mathematics led her to work in banking before moving to the United States in 1962. She was introduced to her husband-to-be, Teunis Simon Willemse, through a mutual friend and they were married on August 1, 1964. She worked in the Ossining, New York school system for many years as an elementary school teacher's assistant and later as an accounting supervisor for Christiania Reinsurance Co. Most of all, she cherished being a mother to her two daughters and was a shining example of what love is, not only to her daughters but also to her many friends and extended family. She cared for others passionately, demonstrating kindness and compassion to everyone she knew and to everyone she met, always greeting friends and strangers alike with her beautiful smile. She was guided throughout her life by her steadfast faith in God and was always an active member of her church. In the earlier years, Ridgeway Alliance Church in White Plains, NY, then Faith Lutheran Brethren in Briarcliff, NY, and then after moving to Southbury, CT, Christ the Redeemer Church. She was so grateful and blessed to be a part of these loving church families. She always helped others with a willing and happy heart, whether it was in Sunday School, MOPS, Vacation Bible School, Acts 4 Ministries, volunteering with the Southbury Training School, cooking for others, caring for someone through their illness, and so much more. She cared deeply and loved others tirelessly, and her legacy will live on through all those who were lucky enough to know her. She was an avid gardener, skillfully spending hours tending to her plants and flowers in her beautiful gardens. She loved nature with a passion, whether it was walking in the woods or searching for toads with her grandchildren when they were little. She regularly woke up very early in the morning to take a walk, often before the sun had come up. She always enjoyed watching the birds come to her bird feeders and bird baths, and would laugh and quickly admit that the chipmunks and squirrels tried her patience. Diva was a fabulous cook and her home was always open to friends stopping by for a bowl of delicious soup or whatever she masterfully threw together that would always end up being delicious. She enjoyed listening to classical music, especially the Baroque composers. She loved her family dearly and cherished being a grandmother to her four adoring grandchildren. She taught them the most invaluable lessons in life just by being herself. Even throughout her illness, she would often say to them and to others who expressed their concern for her, "I'm not going to worry about tomorrow, I am happy that I have today and I am grateful for this day." We are all so very grateful for every day of her life and that she was a part of our lives.

Diva was predeceased by her husband, Teunis Willemse, her sister, Marina Siiberg, and her brother, Arturo Lozano. She is survived by her daughters Irene Jagde, of Portland, Maine, and Jennifer Berntsen, of Hillsborough, North Carolina, her sons-in-law Daniel Jagde and Stephen Berntsen, her grandchildren Diana Jagde, Ryan Jagde, Joshua Berntsen and Megan Berntsen. She is also survived by her brothers Leo Lozano, of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Antonino Lozano of Bogota, Colombia, her sisters Amparo Lozano, Gilma Lozano de Feijoo, Cecilia Lozano Bermudez of Bogota, Colombia, their wonderful families, and her many beloved friends. 

No services are scheduled at this time. A memorial service and celebration of Diva's life will be planned for this upcoming spring in Southbury, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your preferred place of worship in Diva's name.