Elzelina’s Tulip Story: A Blooming Legacy

Celebrating Senior’s Month at Meighen Health Centre

Location: Meighen Health Centre, Toronto, ON

At Meighen Health Centre, every resident carries a story that echoes through generations. This Seniors Month, the home shared the story of Elzelina Bezemer, a woman whose resilience bloomed like the tulips she cherishes.

Elzelina was born in the Netherlands and lived in Breda, a city that experienced both devastation and hope during World War II. Her childhood home was bombed during the war, leaving one corner destroyed – but what remained became a sanctuary of freedom when Canadian soldiers moved in during the liberation.

“They were very nice,” she recalls with a gentle smile, her eyes lighting up at the memory.

The friendship between Canada and the Netherlands continues to this day. Each year, Ottawa receives tulip bulbs from the Dutch as a symbol of gratitude—a reminder that beauty can grow even from the darkest soil.

Inspired by Elzelina’s story, residents at Meighen Health Centre created a lobby art display this May, using a Veterans Affairs Canada template to express themes of friendship, freedom, and heritage. At the heart of the display stands Elzelina wearing her “tulip dress” — a symbol of her roots and resilience. Like the tulips gifted to Canada, Elzelina’s story is a reminder that history isn’t just in books — it’s living, breathing, and walking among us.