Tribute

Maaike (May) was born on August 31, 1926, in Eesterga, Friesland, The Netherlands. She was the fourth oldest of 13 children born to Jelle and Geeske Winia. Maaike spent most of her childhood growing up on her family’s dairy farm. She met her husband, Roelof (Ralph), in 1951 and, after 3 years of dating, they married on May 13, 1954, immigrating to Canada 12 days later. Life was difficult for the first years after immigrating.  Early on, Maaike required surgery and spent a number of months in the hospital but, having a strong, determined character, once she was able to go home she never looked back.

Maaike and Roelof always supported each other during those early years as he worked in construction and she would take housecleaning jobs. During that time, they welcomed their son, John, and a few years later their daughter, Melinda. In 1967 they were able to start their own dairy farm in Langley, returning both of them to their roots. Eventually they moved their farm to Matsqui. Maaike was a driving force in the success of their farm, a true farm girl.

They retired from farming due to Roelof’s arthritic knees, moving to a house in Abbotsford.  Maaike enjoyed many retirement years with Roelof, entertaining relatives from Holland as well as travelling to visit those relatives. They participated on a bowling team for a number of years and always enjoyed their vegetable garden. Their family grew to include a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maaike and Roelof moved into Cascade Court in November of 2008. They enjoyed the community they found there, where Maaike felt supported in the years after Roelof’s passing in 2013. Maaike loved the Lord. Her prayer during the last week of her life was to go home to be with Him.

Maaike was predeceased by her husband, Roelof, and her son, John. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda, and son-in-law, Gil Read. Daughter-in-law Jackie, grandson Joel (Johanna), great-grandchildren Ellianna, Addison, Ezekiel, Aleena, Eliza, Annorah, Arend, and Amadea; granddaughter Emma (Joel), great-grandson Bowen; granddaughter Kate (Neko), great-grandsons Axiano and Frankie.

Maaike was loved and will be missed.