De geboorteakte van mijn moeder. Als adres is slecht 'achter de kaarke' genoteerd. De namen van de getuigen zeggen me niks, maar het waren vermoedelijk collega's van mijn opa.

Tinie Martin en Dries Snijder vierden gisteren het feit dat ze 60 jaar getrouwd zijn. Dries is dit najaar ook nog eens 80 geworden! Proficiat.

Op 9 juni 1883 trouwen Geert de Ruiter, arbeider, en Lena Greven, beiden uit Steenwijk. Geert is een zoon van Wicher de Ruiter. Deze woont op dat moment in Amsterdam. Geert was een oom van mijn naar hem genoemde moeder en dus een oudoom, bror van mijn opa, van mij. Hij was enigszins naamziek. Mijn moeder werd bij zijn bezoeken naar voren geroepen. Haar oom had dan een kleinigheidje voor haar. Geert ging later zijn geluk zoeken in Twente en woonde in Enschede.

Ome Toon

Op 19 juli jl. overleed, vrij kort na het verscheiden van zijn vrouw, mijn oom Toon Maters in het Canadese Regina. Hij trouwde in 1954 met Sofia Peeters, mijn tante en jongste zus van mijn vader. Toontje werd 92 jaar. Hierbij een van de laatste foto's die van hem zijn gemaakt.

Antonius “Tony” Maters 1931 - 2023 It is with heavy hearts, but with gratitude for a life for which he always felt blessed, that the family of Tony Maters announce his passing on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, with his three daughters and a photo of his beloved Sophia by his side. Tony was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on February 24, 1931, to Jan and Maria Maters. Dad is survived by his three daughters and sons-in-law, Louise (Michael) Bohonos, Mary-Ann (Larry) Eirich and Dianne (Kevin) Van Drunen; six grandchildren, Christopher, Derek, Janelle, Alana, Jaclyn, and Desiree; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews in the Netherlands; and friends on both sides of the ocean. Dad was predeceased less than four months ago by his lifelong partner and love of his life, Sophia. Dad and Mom’s journey together spanned over 70 years, almost 69 as a married couple whom one month after marriage, ventured away from the Netherlands to build a life in Canada. Dad was also predeceased by his parents; two brothers and one sister, as well as their spouses; and by Sophia’s seven brothers and three sisters, as well as their spouses. Tony and Sophia were the last of their generation on both sides of their families. Mom and Dad were married in Nijmegen on May 8, 1954. On June 10, 1954, they boarded a plane to Montreal as young newlyweds and travelled on to Regina, where they lived the balance of their lives and proudly received their Canadian citizenships on May 15, 1969. The majority of Dad’s career was spent as a machinist at Ipsco (now Evraz). Their three daughters were born in 1955, 1957 and 1958, and the three sons-in-law were happily accepted into the family in the late 1970s. The family continued to grow with the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dad, with Mom by his side, enjoyed travelling back to the Netherlands, to the Rocky Mountains with Dutch family, to BC, to Reno, and many smaller trips. For many years they swam regularly at the Lawson, where friendships were formed. Dad was always ready to lend a hand to family and friends who could use it. He was always up for a spirited discussion about politics. Dad was an avid computer and iPad user, by choice and sometimes by necessity. It was inspiring to watch a person in his 90s send emails and pictures, do on-line banking, and even send e-transfers. Above all else, Tony loved his wife and family and loved life. There was nothing he would not do for Sophia, and he was right by her side providing love and care as needed for as long as he was able. He accepted every challenge that was sent his way with an incredibly positive attitude and his personal motto that “it’s all part of life”. He was a very determined man (some would say stubborn!), a character trait that he used to move full speed ahead, both literally and figuratively. His viewpoint of life and how he tackled roadblocks was inspirational. He will be forever in our hearts and memories. No words can fully express the family’s gratitude to everyone on Unit 2-5 at Wascana Rehab. Dad received great care and also tremendous compassion and friendship. Unit 2-5 was his home and everyone there was part of his family for the last year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you also to the Regina Home Care team, and Dr. Liu and Dr. Khan at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, for caring for Dad in his last few years.

 Mooie tekening van mijn talentvolle neef Luc Kok (zoon van tante Wie en ome Jan).

Foto van begin jaren zestig genomen op het platje van de familie Bult aan de Scholestraat (boven Vissers zaden). We zien van links naar rechts Zus Femmie, Mieke Koon, Freddie Harms en Sietske de Jong. Petticoattijd!

 Tante Fifi overleden

It is with great sadness, but the comfort of knowing she is pain-free and at peace, that the family of Sophia ("Fief") Maters (nee Peeters) announce her passing in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023 with Tony at her side. Sophia was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on April 10, 1932, the youngest of 11 children of Gerardus and Louise Peeters. Mom was predeceased by her parents; seven brothers and three sisters; as well as their spouses; and by Tony's parents; his sister and two brothers; as well as their spouses. Mom will be forever loved and missed by the love of her life of almost 69 years Tony; three daughters and sons-in-law Louise (Michael) Bohonos, Mary-Ann (Larry) Eirich and Dianne (Kevin) Van Drunen; six grandchildren Christopher, Derek, Janelle, Alana, Jaclyn and Desiree; five great-grandchildren (including twins born a few days after Mom's passing); nieces and nephews in the Netherlands; as well as friends on both sides of the ocean.

Mom and Dad were married in Nijmegen on May 8, 1954. On June 10, 1954, they boarded a plane to Montreal and from there travelled to Regina to bravely begin their life in Canada that has spanned almost 69 years, both receiving their Canadian citizenship on May 15, 1969. Their three daughters were born in 1955, 1957 and 1958, and by the end of 1978 they had joyfully welcomed their three much loved sons-in-law to the family. Mom was especially proud of watching her six grandchildren grow into wonderful adults, and was blessed with great-grandchildren.

Mom and Dad together made several trips back to the Netherlands to visit family over the years, and took many trips to the mountains with family visiting from the Netherlands. Mom enjoyed the numerous trips she and Dad took to Reno and then up the coast to BC, and in later years their short gambling trips to casinos. For many years, following Dad's retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed almost daily swims at the Lawson, where many friendships were made. Mom took great pride in being a homemaker. She enjoyed watching curling and tennis as well as cheering on the Riders, and she was a music lover with a vast music collection. Mom was very talented at cross-stitch and needlepoint. Mom knitted many scarves and toques that she donated to the Cancer Clinic, and her friends, family and even casual acquaintances will miss the wonderful dishcloths she continued to knit into the fall of 2022.

The family thanks the Regina Home Care team, whose assistance over many years enabled Mom to continue to live independently until recently. Gratitude is also expressed to Wascana Rehab and in particular the caring staff of long-term care Unit 2-5, where Mom was able to spend her last few months being close to Dad.

A Private Family Service will be held. Sophia loved animals, so in lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Regina Humane Society or a charity of choice.