Alisa Van Wyck

Alisa Van Wyck (née Hoexter), 80, of Owen Sound, Ont. died on Oct. 11, 2022 at the Owen Sound Hospital. She died from heart failure, but her fighting spirit and sense of humour were intact until the end.

Beloved wife of Sydney, mother of Elan (Emily), grandmother of Wesley, sister of Ruth Mayost of Ottawa, aunt of Allona and Danny.

Alisa was born in Jerusalem, Israel on Jan. 18, 1942. She spent her childhood during war times getting into trouble with her sister, Ruth, and becoming an expert liar to avoid getting caught. Her family immigrated to Hamburg, Germany in 1955. She loved to swim from an early age.

She studied home economics and early childhood education in Germany. In 1967, she traveled to Canada to join her sister on a three-month road trip. She got a ticket in Arizona for driving the car at top speed, but got out of court by pretending not to understand much English. She stayed in Canada after her trip, working as a teacher in Montreal and a councillor at the Youthdale Treatment Centre near Toronto. She had a gift for feeding the kids’ bodies and souls, with her laughter and food preparation ringing through the centre.

Then she began her hippie days. She lived out of her blue Ford van, complete with her dog, red shag carpet and a dreamcatcher hanging from the rearview mirror, for four years as she drove through Central America, Mexico, the United States and Canada. Many stories from this era aren’t fit to print. She picked fruit in the Okanagan and made extra cash by selling cheese and sandwiches made with day-old bread. Known for her excellent and abundant cooking, she always swore all she needed to make a good meal was the single pot and burner in the back of her van.

In 1977, she took a job as the night cook on the James Norris, a ship on the Great Lakes. She met the captain, Syd, when he called for midnight snacks. He proposed and she moved to Owen Sound. They married on August 25, 1979 and welcomed their son, Elan, in June 1984.

Alisa wasted no time becoming an invaluable member of the community. She volunteered for the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue and was recognized as volunteer of the year for her years of dedication to the Owen Sound Minor Soccer Association. She was also recognized for 35 years of service to Grey Bruce Health Services for volunteering at the hospital.

Alisa was known for hosting backyard parties with music, dancing and homemade dishes. She always sent friends home with pickles, relish, fruit preserves or fresh garlic. Alisa will be remembered by her family and many friends for her zest for life, overwhelming generosity and bold and beautiful laughter. She could always be relied upon to help, no matter the job at hand. She had a special bond with her grandson, Wesley, who loved singing and joking with her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue www.bethezekiel.org. A funeral service will be held at the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Zoom link for those who want to attend virtually.