Obituary of Jacoba Henderica Wesseling

To view livestream click HERE

Cobie died peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Hospice of Waterloo Region. She is survived by her husband Karl Bennett, daughter Paula (Callum) McKee, grandchildren Nicholas and Elena McKee, her lifelong friend Arei Bierstock, her sisters Mieke (Hans), and Carmen (Doug) and brothers Bart (Betty, dec.), Leo (Suzanne), and Fred (Eileen, dec.).

Cobie was predeceased by her son John Isley in 1983, and brothers George, Paul and Anthony (Carol), sister Elizabeth, and nephews Mark and Michael.

Cobie migrated from the Netherlands to Canada with her family in 1951. They subsequently lived mostly in the Kitchener/Waterloo area where Cobie completed her schooling. All those who have been closest to Cobie over her long life mention first and foremost her strong commitment in support of those working to promote social justice. This lifelong commitment came about when she was a young adult and heard Tommy Douglas, then the Premier of Saskatchewan, speak. She maintained membership in the NDP all her life with the high point reached when she worked as a Legislative Assistant and Researcher in the Provincial NDP caucus at Queens Park in the 1970s and 80s. More recently she was an active participating member of the local chapter of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign run by the Stephen Lewis Foundation to fight AIDS in Africa, and to support grandmothers raising their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS.

Her friends always express their admiration for the breadth and depth of her fine art skills. These skills ranged from the creativity she demonstrated in painting, stained glass, knitting, garment making, crocheting and gourmet cooking. She was a well-known local potter, with her work sought after and commissioned. As a longtime member of the Waterloo Potter’s Workshop, she served in a variety of executive positions including that of president. In this capacity she was actively involved with the annual Empty Bowls event, raising money for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Cobie travelled extensively and enjoyed an active social life, but her most treasured moments were the ones spent with her family, and as an enthusiastic and involved Oma to Nick and Elena. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on as children and adults and felt such pride and excitement for their accomplishments. She will be deeply missed by her family and many wonderful friends.
     

We wish to thank the PSWs from Bayshore, especially Berhane, Prashant, Sai and Li for the service, kindness and compassion they provided over the years. We would also like to extend our special thanks to Wajeeha, who we could always rely on in any situation, and to Cobie’s personal trainer Andrew, who helped Cobie maintain her peak mobility. We all remain amazed at Cobie’s inspiring positive attitude, despite her increasing physical challenges, and we are so grateful for the support and kindness shown by all these individuals.

A Celebration of Cobie’s life will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Remarks and tributes will be shared at 2 p.m. Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment will take place at a later date.

A livestream of the remarks and tribute will be available on Cobie’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

Memorial donations to the Steven Lewis Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Hospice Waterloo Region may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.