Emmy EC Christine van de Straat Buitenhek

Emmy Christine van de Straat Buitenhek, known to all as EC, as “Em” to her beloved husband Ben, as “Mom” to her children, and as “Oma” to her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, entered in to rest on Friday, January 29, 2016 following a very brief illness. She was 88. As the epitome of a classy and elegant lady, she will be missed by many.

EC was born in Brunssum, the Netherlands on February 16, 1927 to the late Emma Gertrude Strohm and Herman van de Straat. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Herman van de Straat.

As a young lady, she was captain of the school field hockey team. She also was a member of the Brunssum Swim Club. It is here where she first met her future husband, Ben. After attending business school, she worked at Vroos and Dreesman (V&D) in Brunssum where she worked her way up to serve as Manager of the cosmetics department. She married Ben Buitenhek on September 8, 1949 and moved to London where Ben was working. They returned to the Netherlands for a short time and then moved to Indonesia when Ben worked for Royal Dutch Shell. Her son Peter was born on November 21, 1951 in Surabaia, Indonesia where they lived for several more years. They returned to the Netherlands where their daughter Karina was born on November 20, 1957 in Rotterdam. In 1960, the family made another extensive move, this time to Alameda, California. EC was supportive of her beloved husband and followed his work around the world. They moved to Penn Hills, PA; Cleveland, OH and Country Club Hills, IL. While raising her family, EC also volunteered at the Pittsburgh Hospital and worked in women’s fashions at May Company and Wieboldt’s. In 1987, Ben and EC moved to Charlotte, NC to be close to her daughter and her family.

In addition to her family, EC loved people and loved to be around people. She laughed easily and often, was quick to be there for friends and family, and never knew a stranger. To facilitate her love of being around people, she loved dancing. She and Ben enjoyed square dancing in both Illinois and in Charlotte, belonging to the local Sardis Stars for many years. Separately, EC belonged to a clogging group and a line dancing group. In 1990, EC was part of the well-known Silver Belles dance group who performed at many retirement centers. The Silver Belles competed in the North Carolina Senior Games and won many gold medals. One of her most favorite rhinestone pins had the numbers ‘5-6-7-8’. Ben and EC then also become interested in ballroom dancing enjoying the friendship and fellowship of other local dancers. Whether dancing or teaching dance, her favorites were square dancing, line dancing and ballroom dancing. Once the Silver Belles retired from performing, EC found another outlet for her boundless energy – joining several chapters of the Red Hat Society. She also was a member of the Ladies of the Hat. EC loved planning outings and would spend countless hours preparing the activities and crafting decorations. She also loved to prepare meals, especially for Ben.

In addition to her beloved husband Ben, she is survived by her son Peter Buitenhek and his wife Kristine and by her daughter, Karina Glass and husband Everette. She is survived by a granddaughter, Katie Ridgeway and her husband Bryan; by grandsons David Buitenhek and his wife Amy, Kevin Glass and his wife Stefani, Hunter Glass and Ryan Glass. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Abigail Ridgway, James and Henry Buitenhek.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park prior to the service from 2:00 until 3:00 PM. A service celebrating EC’s life will follow with the Rev. Earl Bradshaw officiating. The family will receive friends again immediately following the service.

The Staff of McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park is honored to be entrusted with the care for Mrs. Buitenhek and her family. Condolences may be sent to the Buitenhek family online at http://www.mcewenfs.com