We are heartbroken to announce the passing away of Maria Louisa Rubingh-Kickken on November 30, 2020 at 11:20 AM. She went quietly and peacefully, with her loving daughter Eleanne at her side. She leaves behind three children: Marie Louise and her husband Jim, Eleanne and her husband Craig, and Peter and his wife Cheryl; five grandchildren: Tracy and her husband Martin, Shawn, Teri, Nicole and Chad; and three great grandchildren: Gemma and Justin. She also leaves behind three brothers: Johan, Hub and Harry and one sister: Tinij, as well as many more relatives in Holland.
Living to the age of 98, she lived a full life. She lived through World War II, often telling stories of the hardships that she and her family faced in these times. She later immigrated to Canada, building a life and family here in Vancouver. She was very involved with the church, and did a lot of volunteer work at St. Andrew’s Church in Vancouver. She had been a member of the CWL, became a Girl Guide leader and spent many hours working at the church Bingo.
As a grandmother she spent many hours with her grandchildren from babysitting to taking them shopping or taking them for lunch in Metrotown in Burnaby. She was particularly famous among her grandchildren for her “Oma’s kind of cookies” – a recipe to this day, none have been able to replicate. She also loved to go shopping with friends every week. She loved to sew and was often mending things for anyone who asked.
She loved her whole family, and was always thrilled when the whole family would gather for special occasions. She loved to talk and spent many hours just talking to anyone who would listen. She had a special ability to never run out of thing to say and this always made for very lively family gatherings.
She also loved to visit her children – in particular a very special trip was to Drumheller to see Peter and Cheryl (a fifteen hour drive) who now live in Princeton (only three hours away). She also made many trips to Penticton over the years to see Marie, Jim and Tracy.
She was a woman who took pride in her appearance – and was never caught without her signature pink blush. She loved Sprite (never 7Up), and Chinese food, lilac flowers, and Nabob coffee (she was always sure to be well-stocked on this, often having several large tins full stored in the cupboard).
As she got older, she had some health issues but she was a fighter and she always got through them. She was later blessed to be able to live out most of her last years with her loving daughter Eleanne in Surrey for 14 years. She spent many hours preparing a weekly lunch for her friends, and for many years she and Eleanne would go out shopping every week. She was also able to make her last trip to see her family in Holland when she was 92, joined by her daughter Eleanne, her son-in-law Craig and her granddaughter Nicole. It was a trip that will never be forgotten.
This last year was very difficult for all of us, but she is at peace now, and we were truly blessed to have so many good years with her. She will be missed.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maria Louisa Rubingh-Kickken November 30th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique