VAN DEN HOEK
MARIA “RIA”
October 7 1933 – June 2 2017
With great sadness, we announce that on Friday June 2 2017, Ria van den Hoek passed away at River Valley Lodge, Keremeos BC at the age of 83 years. Ria was predeceased by her husband Joe van den Hoek, her parents Art and Anna van Diemen, her sisters Anne Sawyers, Leona Smith and Margaret Pimblott and her brother Peter van Diemen.
Ria will be forever loved by her daughters Sonja van den Hoek (Jim Bauer) Dianne Clifton (Brad), Freda McLean (Doug) her 6 grandchildren Joel, Ashley, John Ross, Marla, Taylor, Carey and great granddaughter Addison.
Ria was born in Mijdrecht, Holland in 1933, She immigrated to Canada in 1953. She worked in the cannery and later became a forelady at the packing house. On October 22 1954 Ria married the love of her life, Joe. As a wife of a miner they moved to several towns in BC. In 1970, they bought the family home and 10 acre orchard in Keremeos, BC to raise their three daughters. Together they ran the farm for 40 years. Ria loved her home and it was always filled with her cooking, baking, and preserves. Ria’s garden and flowers were her passion. Some of her favourite hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafting. Ria also enjoyed camping, fishing, skating, swimming and dancing was her favourite. Ria was also a volunteer with the Ladies Legion Auxiliary. She devoted her love, time and energy to her family, especially to her husband Joe. Ria loved him with all her heart for 59 years that they were married. Ria was diagnosed with memory loss at the age of 65 and moved to her new home at River Valley Lodge in 2009. Ria resided there till she passed with her family by her side. Ria will be remembered for her strong determination for life and her love of her family.
Interment held at the Keremeos Cemetery on Liddicoat Road, on Saturday June 10, 2017 at 11:00 am. In celebration of Ria’s life a tea and luncheon was held at the Keremeos Royal Canadian Legion at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ria’s memory to South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation – re: Orchard Haven and River Valley activities reference 10801.71.4850000
Condolences may be sent to the family through providencefuneralhomes.com
The family would like to thank all our family and friends for the gifts of flowers, cards, food and heartfelt kind words of condolences. Thank you Dr. Louw, Dr. Boshoff, Nurses and Care Aides of River Valley Lodge for your amazing care of our mother. Thanks to Nolan Adam of Providence Funeral Homes for the service and his guidance to ease our loss. Huge thanks to Carol Allison for her generosity in lending us the projector and screen for the slide show. Also thank you to the ladies of the Royal Purple for the food and goodies for the service. We are truly blessed to have all of your support.
From the family of Ria van den Hoek