Sydney Timmer

We have joy in celebrating that Sydney Elizabeth Timmer is now whole, healed and complete in the presence of our Lord. She is a precious angel who, in her almost 15 years with us, touched many lives in countless ways and left her footprint on our hearts. Sydney was a young woman who was a lovely example of faith, trust, courage, determination, love and kindness. Although she struggled for many years with medical challenges, she desired to live out God’s purpose for her life and embraced each new day that she was given.

On October 26, 1993 David Timmer and Victoria (Timmer) Van Kampen were blessed with the precious gift of baby girl number three at Zeeland Community Hospital. Sydney began her life growing up with her two older sisters named Taryn and Taylor Timmer. They have fond memories of playing outside, going swimming and playing Barbie dolls with her. Their very favorite thing to do was to play “dress up” and then put on shows for their parents to enjoy.

Much of Sydney’s younger life was spent in and out of hospitals due to benign tumors on the brain and spinal cord. She had several surgeries and hospital stays in both Grand Rapids and Chicago. Because the nature of her case was somewhat unusual, the doctors could not give definite answers to her parents about what the future would hold. Based on test results, the doctors were unsure if Sydney would ever be able to walk. After much therapy and prayers, Sydney took her first steps at age fifteen months. What a miracle!!

In 1998 the family faced a tragedy when Sydney unexpectedly lost her daddy and her grandma only twenty days apart. This was a difficult time for the family, but with a strong faith and many prayers they were able to endure. Sydney grew stronger from so many obstacles at such a young age. Her mother remembers a time when they were reading the Bible together and came across a verse in the book of Romans which reads, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Victoria talked with Sydney about people growing in their faith as they go through struggles. She asked Sydney if there was a difficult time in her life that she could remember. Sydney pondered for a moment and said, “well there was that one time when my sister almost dropped me coming down from the tree house” That was all she could think of. Her perspective on life and suffering was amazing at such a young age.

North Holland Reformed Church was the family’s home church when Sydney was born and is also where she was baptized. Since 1996, she has attended Ridge Point Community Church where she was involved in the children’s choir. She also performed in many plays and musicals. At the age of six she stole the hearts of many when she played the “little girl” who spread the good news about the true meaning of Christmas. She had a solo and her sweet little voice was perfect for the part. It was through the programs at Ridge Point that she developed a love for the fine arts.

Sydney later was blessed with two brothers from her mother’s marriage to her new dad Terry Van Kampen. Samuel and Seth joined the family and Sydney fell in love with them both. Although she was in high school, she still loved to watch the Backyardigans with them. In a school paper she wrote, “I love my brothers. Well, most of the time. I love playing light sabers one minute and kitchen the next. They can always make me smile. They come up with the craziest, wackiest, cutest stuff. I just love spending time with them.”

Sydney attended Eagle Crest Charter Academy and was home schooled before moving to the Zeeland School District. There she attended Woodbridge Elementary and Cityside Middle School. She was currently a freshman at Zeeland East High School. Sydney loved to sing and act. She performed in talent shows and choir concerts having solos in both. Her favorite role was playing a pirate in the middle school production of Peter Pan. One of her favorite memories was leaving on a pass while at Mary Free Bed Hospital to attend the 8th grade choir trip to see High School Musical live on stage. It was a struggle to get there, but afterwards she was so thankful that she was able to go. Sydney was also an honor roll student and was recognized as “student of the month” at a reception at the end of her 8th grade year.

Going shopping, out to eat, and to movies were her favorite things to do. Watching the Disney Channel and American Idol, texting her friends and socializing through the computer were some of her activities at home. She also liked to bake cookies and banana bread. Going to Silver Lake with her cousins was always an adventure that she enjoyed. One of the last events that she was able to attend was her homecoming dance. Picking out her new dress and shoes and wearing them was the highlight. She looked so beautiful.

Sydney was one of a kind. She was so sweet and at the same time she had a wonderful sense of humor. She could really make the people around her laugh. More than that, she taught those who knew her so much. The last year and a half of her life was spent in and out of hospitals once more. She lost much of her neurological function and had to use a wheelchair. She worked hard in therapy hoping that her situation would improve. Although it didn’t, she chose to keep fighting. In her paper she wrote, “At times I just want to give up, but I know if I do that I’ll never get better. I have to remind myself that God has a reason for everything and a purpose for everyone. I hope that I can use my life story to glorify God. John 9:1-3 says: as he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blindω’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.’ I believe I am the way I am for a reason. I want to live my life for God and show people what he is capable of.” God was glorified through Sydney’s life. Well done good and faithful one.

She was preceded in death by her father David Timmer in 1998, her grandmother Darlene Kubicek in 1998, and an Aunt Krista Van Kampen in 2006.

Surviving are her parents Victoria and Terry S. Van Kampen of Zeeland, sisters-Taryn and Taylor Timmer and brothers Samuel and Seth Van Kampen; Grandparents Bill Van Lente of CA, Ron and Jan Kubicek of Muskegon, Gordon and Norma Timmer of Allendale, Betty Van Kampen of Holland, and Terry and Julie Van Kampen of Holland; several great grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held 11 am Tuesday at Ridge Point Community Church, 340 104th Ave., with the Rev. Jim Liske officiating. Visitation will be 7-9pm Monday at Ridge Point Community Church.

Memorials may be made to the Sydney Timmer Donation Fund c/o Macatawa Bank.

Arrangements are by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel.