It is with deepest sadness that the family of Amy Lynn Sevenhuysen (Olthuis) announce her passing on August 27th, 2023 in Vernon, BC at the age of 31. A loving and devoted wife, daughter, sister, auntie, teacher, and friend, she will be dearly missed. Her journey with cancer was not easy, but we live with joy and hope knowing that her pain is gone and that she is fully restored with Jesus.

Born in Abbotsford in 1992 to John and Julia Olthuis (Kampman), Amy was the oldest of 4 children, paving the way for Brian and twin siblings Heidi and Mark as they lived through the ups and downs of life together. She was baptized at her home church of Gateway CRC and publicly professed her faith at the age of 15. Her love of music started in these formative years, and she found joy in learning how to play the piano and in her high school band program (playing saxophone and tuba). Amy also was deeply impacted by being involved with her church’s Mexico Missions Trips, a catalyst in the development of her servant-heart. She attended Abbotsford Christian School and graduated in 2010, heading to The King’s University in Edmonton that same year to study psychology and music (voice). She went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees over the next 5 years, graduating with her teaching degree in 2015. 

It was during this time at university that she met her future husband, Jordan, in the fall of 2011. Between games of Dutch Blitz, frequent music sessions, many late night walks to Ottewell Park or the river valley, prank wars, internet memes, movie nights, and a variety of other dorm-life shenanigans, they fell in love. Engaged in November 2013, they were married in Nanaimo, BC, on July 11, 2014.

Once Amy graduated in 2015, they were off to Vernon, BC, having both secured jobs teaching at Vernon Christian School. It was there that they truly learned how to do life together. Work demanded much of their time and attention during the school year, but they found joy in doing it side by side. They also took full advantage of the abundance of shared vacation time, with highlights including trips across Canada, relaxing in Mexico, driving and hiking through 11 US National Parks, roadtripping through northern BC, camping and exploring with friends, and more recent international travel to Peru, Jordan, and Egypt. These adventures provided memories that will last a lifetime.

Teaching was Amy’s passion, even as it came with the typical challenges and ups and downs of dealing with middle schoolers. The majority of her teaching career was with grade 7, and “life in the middle” was oh so sweet. When others would say to her, “I don’t know how you can deal with a room full of 12 and 13 year olds”, she would simply reply, “It’s the best!”, and go on to tell stories of the amazing accomplishments of her “kiddos”. Her love for her students was so evident, especially so for the underdogs. Where others struggled to see beyond the immediate challenging behaviours, she was quick to say, “Oh, but they have a big heart underneath it all.” The balance of sass and sarcasm with genuine joy and celebration of student success made her the perfect champion for the students who needed it the most. A sign outside her classroom read, “You may have a fresh start anytime you need”, a pure description of her heart and deep hope for students.

Amy was also an amazing auntie to 12 nieces and nephews. Her ability to put everything aside and meet children where they were at, to truly see them and make them feel heard and loved was unmatched. Books, art projects, games, and music, she did it all with them, and they were always excited to see her. Amy also unapologetically loved her cat, Clarke, and found great comfort in him when he joined the family at the beginning of her cancer journey in the fall of 2017.

The impact of Amy’s life on so many can not be overestimated. She taught us how to pursue passions like art and music, even in the face of adversity and doubt. She taught us how to experience the peaks and valleys of life fully and completely, even when the emotions are deep and difficult. She taught us how to ask for help and receive support regarding mental health, walking the path of depression and anxiety. And, most importantly, she taught us how to love unconditionally, a reflection of Jesus’ own love for us.

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 [MSG]

Amy’s legacy of compassion, loyalty, and Christ-centered love will live on in all of us, as we strive to model these same attributes in our day to day lives. She will never be forgotten.

A service to honour and remember Amy will be held at Grace Bible Church on September 19th, 2023, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society to aid in the prevention and treatment of cancer in so many people across the country. Also, please continue to support Canadian Blood Services and the blood drive (#drainmeforAmy) that was initiated in honour of Amy this past summer. Special thanks to the staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate care for Amy during the time spent there. She appreciated and loved you all, too.