Maria Johanna Boots

Born on October 27, 1929 in her parents’ home in Schoorl, North Holland, Maria and her husband Jacob emigrated to Canada in 1954 as part of the Dutch diaspora. After first settling in Souris, Manitoba, they spent 5 years in Calgary, then continued out west and settled in rural Langley. There they raised 9 children: John (Janice) of Surrey; Marian (Calvin Holoboff) of Vancouver; Cathy (John Van Werkhoven) of Langley; Jack (Adrienne) of Vernon; Mike (Tracy) of 100 Mile House; Frank, of Mission; Pat (Darcy) of Langley; Leo (Wendy) of Langley; and Andy (Jocelyn) of Yahk, B.C. Maria was pre-deceased by her husband in 2002, just a few weeks shy of their 50th anniversary.

Maria was Grandma/Oma to 27 Grandchildren and 31 Great-Grandchildren. All would agree that the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebrations at her home were very special… crowded, full of fun, with lots of traditional Dutch food to eat, and games of Go-Go stop in the hall. Mom/Oma never forgot a birthday, even as the family grew and grew, and the slippers and toques she knit for everyone at Christmas were coveted gifts. She was so welcoming and was loved and respected by all.

Maria was a woman of deep faith who prayed daily and said Grace before each meal. She attended Mass weekly and once her health did not allow her to participate, she watched daily Mass on TV. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s League and worked diligently as a dishwasher at the St. Joseph’s Soup Kitchen. While her children were growing up she also laundered and mended the alter-server garments at St. Joseph’s. She continued this service for 40 years!

In addition to her husband, Maria was pre-deceased in Holland by her parents, Jacobus and Maria Hopman, her parents-in-law, Johannes and Anna Boots, and her brothers John, Teis, and Renis. She was also pre-deceased by grandson Daniel in 2018, daughter-in-law Diane in 2019 and daughter-in-law Julie in 1982. She is survived by sister Thea, brother Jaap, sisters-in-law Dini and Chein and lifelong friend Annie in Holland; nieces and nephews in Calgary and Kingston; and sons, daughters, and their families mentioned above.

Maria’s funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St Joseph’s Church, 20676 Fraser Highway, Langley, with visitation to be held one hour before Mass. Interment will be at Langley Lawn Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in memory of Maria Boots can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Langley Hospice Society.

Many thanks to Dr. Leslie Sank and the staff of Langley Memorial Hospital and Langley Hospice.

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 20676 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 4G5, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hendersonslangleyfunerals.com for the Boots family.