Willem van der Linden Obituary (1923 - 2021)

On Sunday January 31st, 2021, Willem van der Linden passed away peacefully at his home in Magnolia (Seattle), Washington. Willem was born on December 6, 1923 in Amsterdam to Wilheimus and Cornelia van der Linden. He was the youngest of five children in a very caring and loving Dutch family. Educated as a young child in Jesuit schools until 1940 when German occupation forces snatched him and placed him into forced labor working for a butcher in Germany. When Willem was reunited with his family after the war, he returned to his education and began a career in International Finance and Banking, first in the Netherlands, then with his extensive language skills, in Venezuela, Seattle and New York. It was in Venezuela that Willem met and married his beloved wife of 58 years, Joan (Toppin). Together they moved to Seattle and then New York for his international banking career. Upon retirement as his bank's CFO in 1989, they chose to return to their large extended family in Seattle where they resided for many years in Magnolia. With extra time upon retirement, Willem devoted himself to helping others and volunteering for various organizations including weekly sandwich making at Sacred Heart Homeless Shelter, blood drives at his parish and annual fundraisers for the Knights of Columbus. Willem was a daily communicant at his parish, Our Lady of Fatima, until his health limited him. But even then, he did not miss an opportunity to worship via online streaming of the Mass. Although Willem and Joan did not have children of their own, they were Godparents to many. Loved by all, he is survived by wife Joan and his beloved poodle Georgie, sister in law Veronica Emerson, many devoted godchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and their spouses throughout the world. Uncle Willie, was a true gentleman, soft-spoken, thoughtful and generous of heart. A man of faith, loyalty and wit. He leaves behind a legacy of one-liner observations and wisdom that will be remembered by all.. Special thanks to Karen and Chris Emerson, Karin and Paul Emerson, Anthony Cosials and all who assisted with love and devotion during the final weeks of his life. He loved us all very much.