It is with sadness we announce the passing of Maria Petronella Vander Doelen.

Maria was born in Nuland in the south of Holland. She was the second youngest of nine children. Maria met her husband Frank at a wedding and they became sweethearts. They married in 1953 and, shortly after, boarded a ship from Rotterdam to New Brunswick to begin their new life in Canada. In 1954, they moved westward to be near family and settled first in Bronte and then in Oakville. Driven by her strong desire to help others, Maria went back to night school, completed her RNA certification and joined the nursing staff at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed artistic pursuits taking up landscape/still life painting, pottery and paper tolling. She was an accomplished seamstress ensuring her family was always fashionable, including her daughters' wedding dresses. Maria loved music, and dancing to the likes of Elvis, Glenn Miller, Fats Domino and Johnny Cash gave her much joy. Coming from a farming family, her flower (peonies!) and vegetable gardens were second to none and her fruit cellar and freezer were well stocked each winter. Maria and Frank took great satisfaction in their cottage on Skeleton Lake where the family congregated every summer weekend creating wonderful memories and where she and Frank revelled in their card shark status. They also enjoyed their home in Port Charlotte for 24 winters during their retirement years, embracing an enriching social life and bringing home their fair share of lawn bowling trophies.

Maria is predeceased by her husband Frank (2010). She was the proud and loving mother of Marianne [d. 2008] (Martin), Rob (Laurie), and Joan (Denis). She leaves behind her grandchildren Natasza (Dave), Alex, Carly (Matt), Jenna (Paul), Shawna, Mark and her great grandchildren Ellia, Avery, Alice and Frankie.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the Northridge LTC staff who took loving care of Maria.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday December 14, 2022 at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block East of Kerr Street) from 7 – 9 pm.  Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday December 15, 2022 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, 181 Sewell Drive, Oakville at 11 am.  Interment at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Maria's name to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.