Dolores Margaret (Smith) Vander Maaten

Dolores was born in Tessier, Saskatchewan October 8, 1938 to Herb and Margaret Smith. On May 25, 1957 she married her sweetheart Lavern Vander Maaten in Courtenay. The following year they welcomed their first child and moved to a small 2 bedroom home at Saratoga Beach. Three more children followed and the little house was eventually replaced by a larger home at the same location.

Sadly Lavern passed away in 1981 and Dolores sold the family home and moved into Courtenay, where she lived until her passing.

Over the years Dolores filled her time with various interests included painting – both oils and watercolour, bible studies and church activities, choir, clown club where she participated in many July 1st parades and her garden. Dolores also took numerous trips in her life. Among the trips were England, a tour through different countries in Europe, Disneyland, Mexico, a bike tour in France where she traveled on her own at the age of 70 and a trip driving her motorhome across Canada.

Even with all the different activities and interest Dolores’s biggest love and interest was always God, her family and friends.

Dolores was predeceased by her husband Lavern, parents Herb and Margaret Smith, father and mother in-law Jessie and Nicolaas Vander Maaten and son in-law Ralph Irvine.

Dolores in survived by her children: Dawn (Royce) Erickson, John (Donna) Vander Maaten, Betty-Rae Irvine and Glen (Corinna Belcon) Vander Maaten. Also surviving Dolores are 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her sister Bertha Smith, brother in-law Stein (Donna) Vander Maaten and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service followed by tea and sweets will be held Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Black Creek Community Church, 7898 Island Highway, Black Creek, BC V9J 1G5.