Maria Thecla Kooyman

Dear Family, I also have very nice memories of my Tante Marie. Those memories go way back to when I was a little girl and I got to spend time at Pake and Beppe in Wateren at the farm. Every summer they had guests but you could usually find me by my Aunt Marie’s side. Helping her to gather up the cows, and take them into the barn. The first time I was eleven and Marie’s boyfriend came to visit and we all went for a walk. I was told to stay back a little because they had lots to discuss, that was fine with me as long as I got to come along I was happy. When I was twelve years old Aunt Marie went with her boyfriend Ome Jan to immigrate to Canada, for obvious reasons I didn’t like that idea of her being so far away. It was a big adventure for the two of them! In September of 1994, I remember this so well because my house was just recently recovered from a big flood (1.10 meters of water in my house) I took the big trip to go see Tante Marie and Ome Jan in Abbotsford Canada! She was still the sweetest Aunt ever that I remember from when I was a little girl. I had a great time and we did a nice road trip through the rocky mountains and made lots of pictures of the great memories. My Daughter Karin also got a chance to meet Tante Marie and Ome Jan’s lovely family. She stayed at their house for one week at the same time that I was there. It is so nice that all of you got to have her for a long time! Hugs and kisses to you all, from Marian and Karin. Right now I am with my daughter who immigrated to America and lives in Saginaw MI. December 2th I will be back home in The Netherlands.

Dear Family, We remember our visit last year to our sister Mary on the occasion of her 89th birthday. Now she has passed away we still do have such a good remembrance. We did have a wonderful time together with her and we had the opportunity to meet all her children. The diner we had together was really something to us. Mary and we realized that this would be our good-bye visit with her. We send our condolences to all of you. This Fare-well is a real loss to all of her children. Mary went to Canada in 1952 and she came back home in 1954 when her dad who she loved very much, was very ill. The day after Mary's arrival he passed away. We felt this as if he had been waiting for her. In 1956 Ronis went for a year to the USA to study at the University of Wisconsin at Madison,Wis. In 1957 during the eastern holiday I made my first trip to Canada to visit John and Mary at their farm at Matsqui. Several visits by Ronis and Engelien followed at the time that our children went to the USA in student exchange programs. We made at that time often combined visits to see Mary and John as well to visit our children (and later their guest family)who lived in Washington State. Dear family, we wish you have e good time together on Friday. We will be with you! Love, Ronis, Engelien

Dear nieces and nephews, We give you our sincere sympathy with the loss of your mother, and of course also to all your children and grandchildren. Although she reached a respectable age, it is always hard to say goodbye to a loved one. We wish you a memorable farewell and may the memory’s of your mother be an comfort for you.

Dear family, I was sad to hear that aunt Mary had passed away, but it was time for her to go to uncle Jan. I often think about the times when I went to Canada to visit her. My first time was in 1993 and I had never felt so welcome as at their place. She was so hospitable for visitors and such a warm person, with a good sense of humor. She knew a lot about the previous time in Holland, about grandpa and grandma Boersma. Because my dad was the Benjamin of the family, he did not know much about earlier days. I loved to listen to her stories. I remember one day when Mariann’s boyfriend (I don’t know his name anymore) came at the house for the first time and lied down on the settee in the lounge. Your mom was not amused and so she told him. As Mariann said, that was the worst thing he could do. I wash so attached to your mom and dad, that I came back three more times, than together with Aad. He also got very fond of your parents and of the cheerfulness of your mom. She was a special person, and she was always thinking of other people. The last time we went to Canada was at their fiftieth anniversary of marriage. This time with Swerus, Adrie and Nel. She was so glad to have her youngest brother and his wife with her that day. Adrie liked your mom and dad so much that although she did not dare to fly, she came all together three times to Canada. We all wish you a lot of strength and hope you will have an memorable farewell. Rian and Aad van Kints-Boersma, Hedel, The Netherlands.

Dear family, The passing of Mary takes me right back to my stay in Abbotsford in 1986. To visit family so far from home and so close to where I lived at the time, was quite special. Although it was my first visit, Jan and Marie were able to let me feel comfortable at that time. Marie had a special way to achieve this and strike a balance between being there and connecting on one hand, while on the other hand allowing room for oneself. I offer condolences to you, and wish you strength this week as a family. Sjoerd.

Hello dear family in Canada. I am a son of Ronis & Engelien. I visited your parents in july 1986 with the Brown family where I had stayed the year before in Ellensburg,WA, USA. I also remember your mother from her visits to the Netherlands and remember her as a very enthousiastic and warm woman. It makes me sad to hear she has passed away. I am happy that her passing away was peaceful. Please accept my condolances and I hope you will have a nice day to remember her. We will have our thoughts with you. Greatings, Jeroen