Maria "Riet" Vink

Maria (Riet) Vink, born on June 19, 1929, the eldest of four and only daughter of Marinus and Johanna Snoei in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in the Dartmouth General Hospital in Dartmouth NS, surrounded by her family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jan Cornelis, brother William Snoei (Marry), and survived by her children: Annemieke (Peter Wickwire), Erik (Anne Marie Garceau), Barbara, her brothers Ray Snoei (Cheryl) and John (Glenis) Snoei, her grandchildren Alexander Wickwire (Natalie Kinsman), and Lucas Wickwire (Deepika Goyal), her greatgreat grandchildren Edwin and Victoria Wickwire and many nieces and nephews. Riet completed a teaching degree in the Netherlands and in 1955 married Jan Vink.

With two children, the family immigrated to Canada in 1957 and a third child was born in 1962. Riet and her husband became members of Calvin Presbyterian Church, shortly after arriving in Halifax and it became an integral and sustaining part of their lives In 1964, her husband died of cancer. Under these trying conditions and remembering Jan’s encouraging words to never give up, Riet’s sense of determination and her strong faith helped her to face the challenges of raising her three children as a single parent. She persevered, while creating a loving home, adjusting to being a widow, and building a career.

Riet embraced the supportive community of Calvin Presbyterian Church. She dedicated her time to many church activities such as directing the junior and senior choirs, leading hymn sings, participating in various church groups and Bible study classes.

Riet’s career in the Halifax education system commenced as a substitute teacher which lead to a permanent position in St Andrew’s School, the school which her children also attended. With her teaching career established, and a desire to become an elementary music specialist, Riet took a year sabbatical subsequently many summer block programs to achieve this goal. Riet became an integral part of the Halifax school music program and soon became one of the leaders in the promotion of the Kodály approach to elementary music education. Halifax was very famous for this, at that point.

With a lifelong love of singing, Riet’s school choirs soon established a reputation of excellence. Performing in front of esteemed audiences, including the Queen Mother Elizabeth and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix expressed her admiration for the quality of the choir and their proficiency in singing Dutch. Riet’s outstanding work was also a positive influence on many student teachers, as well as the students she taught in the music education classes at Dalhousie and Acadia Universities. Riet was recognized for her contributions to music education, with lifetime memberships to the NS Choral Federation, to the NS Kodály Society, and to the NS Music Educators Music Association.

To her surprise in 2009, she was awarded CARP Top 25 Canadians Award 2009. In honour of Remembrance Day, Riet recounted her memories of growing up in the Netherlands during WW2. Over decades, she was repeatedly invited to deliver moving presentations to thousands of students and staff, in Halifax and Moncton schools. Riet was curious and passionate about many things. Faith, fitness, nature, travel (to the four corners of the world), hiking, aquacise, book club, brain teasers, and connecting to family and friends, filled her life. Her love of singing was evident in the many hours spent in rehearsals and performances in various choirs in Halifax. Up until last year, she was a very enthusiastic concertgoer always having an encouraging word for performers and conductors after a performance.

At 60, Riet retired and continued to embrace a life in music. She helped to establish the Kodály Society of Nova Scotia and served on the board of the Kodály Society of Canada. In the depth of one winter, she even ventured to Labrador to bring the Kodály concept to teachers in remote schools, with some travel by skidoos and komatik. Riet conducted her entire life with care and consideration of others. It was filled with the joy of her family, music, faith, love, laughter and a dry wit that continued to the end. Riet will be greatly missed by so many.

The family is grateful for the care and comfort provided at Dartmouth General Hospital in support of her final days. Thank you to Dr Russell, Dr vanTol, Dr Quinn, Dr Muir, Dr Jackson, Rev Koslowski and the many others who joined her in the journey. The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Calvin Presbyterian Church, located at 3311 Ashburn Avenue, Halifax, NS at 1:00pm. Early visitation with the family will begin at 12:00pm.

Charitable donations can be made to Calvin Presbyterian Church Mission and Outreach Fund, NS Kodály Society, NS Choral Federation or the charity of your choice. For streaming options, please refer to Calvin Presbyterian Church on Facebook, closer to the date.