08.04.1942 – 15.04.2026
Mieke was, at her heart, a devoted family woman; a loving wife to Jan and cherished mother to Yasmin, Steven, and Michael, who formed the centre of her world.
When Mieke arrived in Australia in 1972, she wasted no time making it her home. With a natural warmth and a remarkable gift for conversation, she could connect with anyone she met, and the friendships she formed from those earliest days became endured.
Mieke was a woman of great curiosity and culture, with a deep love of languages, history, music, and art. These passions found their fullest expression in her career as a teacher of French, a role she embraced with devotion and enthusiasm, pouring energy into her students.
She was also a woman who took great joy in presenting herself to the world with elegance. Mieke had a flair for fashion and took genuine pride in her appearance; a reflection of the care and intentionality she brought to everything she did.
Date:
Location:
Elwood Bathers, 15 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood VIC
Click HERE to watch a recording of the ceremony
Notes:
Please share your messages & memories of Mieke in the Guestbook below
Mieke showed us how life should be lived through her style, intelligence, warmth and grace.
Well done celebrating Mieke’s life so beautifully through words and photos. Some reminders for us of happy days the Bylstras shared with the Brennans over many years, in many places.
With love to you all,
June, Kevin, Fiona & Trish.
It was an honour to be part of such a beautiful ceremony in memory of a remarkable woman. Thank you.
Lieve Mieke en Jan, een indrukwekkend eerbetoon aan jou, Mieke.Je was een jaarclubgenote met wie ik me verbonden voelde: open, communicatief, geïnteresseerd in mode en Frankrijk met haar cultuur en prachtige taal.Altijd opgewekt en met een gulle lach! Jammer dat jullie emigreerden, hoor! Maar wat heb je in Australië een rijk leven gehad.Het is een goede beslissing geweest….zon en ruimte en de Kakelclub🤣.Jan, wat had ik het mis toen ik Mieke aanraadde niet door te gaan met jou: een trouwere steun en toeverlaat kan ik me niet voorstellen!
Je bent omgeven door lieve mensen die je zullen steunen, maar het gemis zal blijven.Gerrit en ik hopen dat de prachtige herinneringen aan Mieke je vaak een warm gevoel zullen geven!
Yasmin and family, thankyou for the lovely service to celebrate the life of Mieke. It was a beautiful tribute to your mum. Hearing about her life, the memories shared, and the impact she had on so many people was very moving. Thinking of you all at this time.
Mieke and I met when she came to teach French at Sacre Coeur in the mid ’70s, as a welcome addition to our staff. We were colleagues in the Language Dept for many years and then friends for life. We especially bonded over our love of words and the power they had. Ever elegant, Mieke enjoyed her family, her many friends, books and good food. She was an inveterate traveller, who didn’t let MS deter her from plentiful adventures with Jan and the family.
Mieke and I were almost April birthday twins; she was one day younger. Every year we sent each other birthday wishes, no matter where we were – by phone, by post or by email. I will remember her for her intelligence, her laugh and her loyalty to family and her wide circle of friends.
Vale, dear Mieke.
With love and condolences to Jan, Yasmin, Michael and Steven
Julie and Jose
Watching this video is such a gentle reminder of a life beautifully lived and deeply loved. Every moment captured brings back warm memories and takes us down a nostalgic path that will always be cherished.
Sending love to the family, may these precious memories bring comfort and strength during this difficult time. 🤍
Mieke was always fun to be with. Never slow to give her opinion. She will be missed but not forgotten. Love to Jan and family.
Madame Bylstra was my legendary and delightful French teacher when I was in HSC in 1976. We thought she was brilliant and she was acknowledged as such in the industry, as I learned some years later, when my daughter was studyingb French and her name came up. She made it all seem so effortless and we were swept along by her amazing competence. And yes, we still talk about her today, 50 years later. We are sad she cannot come to our 50 year reunion in July, but she will certainly be remembered and celebrated at that event.
What an absolute pleasure to have met Mieke a couple of years ago. My mother, Natalie, truly valued the Mieke’s friendship and their conversations on many topics. I too, enjoyed seeing Mieke several times with lovely chats. A remarkable, articulate, kind and lovely lady who is missed. Our thoughts are with Mieke’s family especially Jan. RIP Mieke.
Mieke was a dear friend and colleague for over 35 years. She inspired a whole generation of students with her passion for French language and culture. Sociable and outgoing, Mieke was always up for a chat and was always interested in sharing news of our families. I shall miss her very much.
Sending love to Jan, Yasmin, Steven, Michael and families.
Lieve familie van Mieke. Gecondoleerd met het verlies van Mieke( mijn nicht). Gelukkig heb ik haar nog wat informatie over haar moeder kunnen sturen. Hier had ze om gevraagd. Ik was jong toen ze emigreerde maar ik herinner het me nog heel goed.
Ik wens jullie allemaal veel sterkte.
Liefs,
Cary Nieuwenhuijsen
Dear Mieke, 52 years of friendship! We always enjoyed your company, and were so impressed with the way you managed your MS with energy, positivity and great problem-solving skills. A life well lived. We are glad you are now at peace, but we will miss the dinners and conversations.
To Jan, Yasmin, Steven, Michael and all the family, our deepest condolences. She will leave a lasting hole but warm memories. Rosemary and Vin
My dearest friend, Mieke, has been my friend for over fifty years. We taught together, had family occasions together and were always in touch. I loved our friendship, our conversations and our common culture. [I am of European heritage] and our families. Our two youngest sons were born a week apart and we had lots of fun together. We spent a lot of time having dinners and lunches together always with lots of laughs. We always had fun comparing books and because Mieke was Dutch and I was an Indonesian teacher we always enjoyed translating words together. A highlight of our friendship was going to New Caledonia together with a group of French students. It was a happy time. In later years we shared travel stories. I will miss Mieke very much. To Jan, Yasmin, Steven and Michael and family we send our deepest condolences. With love from Irene, Phil, Darren and Brendan
I fondly remember the stories my wife and daughter came home with after Mieke’s attempts to teach them some Dutch! Also have pleasant memories of our joint involvement in the Erasmus Foundation. Jan – I wish you strength for the difficult days ahead.
My friendship with Mieke dates back to the early seventies when we were both enrolled in a Masters Degree in French at Monash University. As recent migrants to Australia we were both trying to find our way in an unfamiliar world. As time passed our children played together and celebrated birthdays when they were small. Mieke fought MS for so many years, always remaining cheerful and positive despite the limitations her illness placed on her. I will miss her.
Mieke always impressed me with her enormous positivism. It seemed, no matter her debilitating illness, she showed a bright personality to the world. She is a great example to a life well lived
Dear Jan en familie, Mijn deelneming met het overlijden van Mieke. Wat een prachtig beeld van Mieke is op de websitebezoek te lezen. Ik herinner mij veel van deze eigenschappen die zij ook al in Leiden liet zien.
Leiden waar wij samen ons jaarclub leven beleefden. En waar wij ook samen onze “werk” vakanties in Frankrijk en Italië planden en uitvoerden.
Ik wens jullie veel sterkte met alle goede herinneringen.
Lieve groet, Remien
Jan, Yasmin, Steven, Michael & the whole family, sending our deepest condolences at this very sad time. We hope to be able to help you celebrate Mieke’s life in a really personal way. Kate Morgan & the team at Tomorrow Funerals