OOSTERLEE, Maartje

Maartje (Mary)

Oosterlee (Hoogwerf)

1929 – 2020

Dearly loved, Maartje (Mary) Oosterlee, age 90, passed away peacefully March 23, 2020 in Lethbridge, AB.

Mary Hoogwerf was born August 15, 1929 in Pernis, Netherlands. She married Bastiaan Oosterlee, on May 4, 1949. Six weeks later they immigrated to Canada to begin a new and very different life. In 1958 she and Bas became proud Canadian Citizens. Mary & Bas had four sons, John, Piet, Edd and Clarence, then resulting in nine grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Mary & Bas lived in Vulcan, Blackie, Longview and Pincher Creek for 43 years then moved to Lethbridge where they resided in the West Highlands seniors’ complex then onto Legacy Lodge. Mary having had 4 boys in 5 years worked very hard as a mother, homemaker and shared her time using her expert cleaning skills in several Pincher Creek homes. Mary’s passions were family, friends and baking. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing for herself, her family and alterations for others. Mary also crocheted beautiful Afghans, slippers, dish cloths and potholders. She was famous for her embroidery, especially tablecloths. She made an abundance of cloth napkins at which time we will remember her at every meal. Mary enjoyed camping with her family and traveling around the world and being a snowbird to Mesa, Arizona for 13 years. She loved her clothes and jewelry, she always looked so beautiful.

Mary is survived by husband, Bastiaan Oosterlee, of Lethbridge, Ab, sons, Pieter (Della) Oosterlee of Lethbridge, Ab and Clarence (Dara) Oosterlee, of Calgary, Ab, nine grandchildren, Sandra (Lynsey) Young, Tina (Joe) Oosterlee-White, Debby (John) Lantican, Jodi Oosterlee, Todd (Michelle) Oosterlee, Nicholas (Jess ) Oosterlee, Kristofer (Carolyn) Oosterlee, Angela Oosterlee and Curtis Oosterlee; her 21 great grandchildren, Colton, Alex, Kyle, Rayna, Abby, Zane, Jade, Ayesha, Jared, Justin, Jude, Nia, Willow, Austin, Josh, Elizabeth, James, Isaac, Simon, Logan and Lucas one great-great grandchild, Aryia.

Mary was predeceased by, her sons, Leonard (John) Oosterlee and Bastiaan (Edward) Oosterlee, daughter-in-law Cherie Oosterlee, her parents, Leendert & Klasina Hoogwerf, her brothers, Harry & Willem Hoogwerf and sister, Elisabeth Freriks. Our Mom, Mother-in-law, Oma and friend too many, will be forever loved & missed. This is a scripture that was given to Bas & Mary for a wedding plaque that Mom always took to heart and loved:

“And behold I am with thee, And will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.” Genisis 28-15

Mary’s family would like to extend a thank you to all the Angels at Legacy Lodge for all the love and care showed to her over the years. There will be no service held at this time. A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions for the late Mary Oosterlee may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Society at 306, 10430, 61 Ave NW, Edmonton, Ab. T6H 2L3 or to the Canadian Red Cross, 335 Columbia Blvd W. Lethbridge, Ab. T1K 5Y8, condolences may be emailed to Martin Brother Funeral Home

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.