1925
Maria
2011
Maria Geertruida van "Mary" Vliet
October 2, 1925 — January 18, 2011
Maria Geertruida "Mary" de Bruijn-van Vliet, 85, of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at her home with family at her side.
She was born October 2, 1925, in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Mary spent her late teenage years in occupied Holland during World War II. She survived the bombing of Rotterdam in May of 1940 hiding in the basement of a meat market. During the later years of the occupation she worked in a retirement home and it was while working there that she met the love of her life, John van Vliet. They were married September 26, 1946. They enjoyed 63 years together before John's passing in June of 2009.
In 1958, Mary and John, along with three daughters, immigrated to the United States, settling in Bellflower, California. In America, a son was added to the family.
Mary was trained as a tailor in Holland and became a licensed practical nurse while living in California. She used those skills to help support her family. In 1964, with their family complete, Mary and John became foster parents caring for 109 children over 26 years, many of them with special needs. One of those children, Holly, a child with incredible special needs, was adopted by Mary and John as they entered their retirement years. As they reached their 80's, Holly was able to move in with Mark and Pattie Applewhite of Jerome, giving Mary and John great comforted in knowing she would be well cared for.
Mary had a great heart for the Lord, praying for those she loved on a regular basis. She was a member of Twin Falls Reformed Church and enjoyed preparing lunch for the volunteers at the Mustard Seed Thrift Store.
She is survived by her three daughters; Tena (Jack) Petter of Buhl, Trudy (Bob) De Jong of Jerome, and Marion (Brad) Van Hofwegen of Twin Falls; and a son John (Jana) van Vliet of Twin Falls, as well as Holly. Mary is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and also two brothers, Jan and Henk de Bruijn, and a sister Bep Goudswaard, all of Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband John, brothers Arie and Leen de Bruijn and sister Joanne Frankfort.
The family is grateful for the kind and gentle care of Dr Kohz and Durinda , Nancy, Louisa, Roxie and Susan of Visions Hospice.
A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 23, 2011 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church "Octagon". A celebration of life memorial officiated by Pastor Brian Vriesman will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church chapel. Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park", Twin Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mustard Seed Food Pantry or the Mustard Tree Wellness Clinic.
When: Monday, January 24th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
She was born October 2, 1925, in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Mary spent her late teenage years in occupied Holland during World War II. She survived the bombing of Rotterdam in May of 1940 hiding in the basement of a meat market. During the later years of the occupation she worked in a retirement home and it was while working there that she met the love of her life, John van Vliet. They were married September 26, 1946. They enjoyed 63 years together before John's passing in June of 2009.
In 1958, Mary and John, along with three daughters, immigrated to the United States, settling in Bellflower, California. In America, a son was added to the family.
Mary was trained as a tailor in Holland and became a licensed practical nurse while living in California. She used those skills to help support her family. In 1964, with their family complete, Mary and John became foster parents caring for 109 children over 26 years, many of them with special needs. One of those children, Holly, a child with incredible special needs, was adopted by Mary and John as they entered their retirement years. As they reached their 80's, Holly was able to move in with Mark and Pattie Applewhite of Jerome, giving Mary and John great comforted in knowing she would be well cared for.
Mary had a great heart for the Lord, praying for those she loved on a regular basis. She was a member of Twin Falls Reformed Church and enjoyed preparing lunch for the volunteers at the Mustard Seed Thrift Store.
She is survived by her three daughters; Tena (Jack) Petter of Buhl, Trudy (Bob) De Jong of Jerome, and Marion (Brad) Van Hofwegen of Twin Falls; and a son John (Jana) van Vliet of Twin Falls, as well as Holly. Mary is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and also two brothers, Jan and Henk de Bruijn, and a sister Bep Goudswaard, all of Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband John, brothers Arie and Leen de Bruijn and sister Joanne Frankfort.
The family is grateful for the kind and gentle care of Dr Kohz and Durinda , Nancy, Louisa, Roxie and Susan of Visions Hospice.
A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 23, 2011 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church "Octagon". A celebration of life memorial officiated by Pastor Brian Vriesman will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church chapel. Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park", Twin Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mustard Seed Food Pantry or the Mustard Tree Wellness Clinic.
Service Details.
Service
When: Monday, January 24th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
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