van de Riet, Maria Elisa Agnes – Shubenacadie. 1937-2016. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, Maria Elisa Agnes, on January 14, 2016 at her home in Shubenacadie, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Roosendaal, Netherlands, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Emma (Hontele) Schepers. In 1959, she immigrated to Nova Scotia with her husband, Chris, and their seven-week-old son. They purchased a dairy farm in Shubenacadie in 1964, where they raised their family and lived until their retirement in 1989. Maria was a long-time active member of St. Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church. Her passions included travelling, music, gardening, puzzling and most of all, spending time with her extended family. She always put her family first, except when it came to family card tournaments with a trophy up for grabs! Maria was self taught in English and could complete crossword puzzles in both English and Dutch. She will be sadly missed by her many long-time friends. Kindness and unconditional love are her greatest legacy.
She was predeceased by Chris, her loving husband of 38 years, in 1996 and is survived by her son, Chretien (Alberta) van de Riet, Shubenacadie; daughters, Betty (Sean) Donahue, Williams Lake, B.C.; Dr. Margot (Bob) Rudstrom, East Grand Forks, Minn.; and Alma (Mike) Harlow, Porters Lake; grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Austin, Kristine (Sheldon) Larkin, Amy (Tyler), Carter, Erin and Karl Rudstrom, Brigitte and Monica Harlow; great-grandchildren, John, Brooke, Finley, David and Vander. She is also survived by her family in the Netherlands; brother, Paul (Guusje); sisters, Jeanette (Kees), Alma, Adrienne (Jan); sister-in-law, Elly; and brother-in-law, Joop. She was predeceased by her brother, Ad; and her sister, Lidwina.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church, Shubenacadie, Father Joseph Thomas officiating. A reception will follow downstairs in Campbell Hall. Burial will take place at a later date.
Donations in Maria’s memory may be made to Colchester East Hants Health Foundation – Community Palliative Care Program. The family would like to thank all the VON nurses and palliative care doctors (Dr. Henderson and Dr. Aries), and especially our guardian angel, Dawn Ross, her palliative care nurse, who made her journey easier. Many thanks to everyone for the phone calls, cards, emails, visits, food donations and immeasurable support. Online condolences may be sent to: mariasmemory@gmail.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.