Maryke Duyker

On January 9, 2013, Maryke Duyker went to be with her heavenly Father. Maryke was born in Westbroek, Holland on September 4, 1918, to Johannes and Reijertje Wateler. Maryke and Willem Duyker immigrated to Canada in 1951 with their three oldest sons, where they first lived and worked briefly on a farm in Harold, Ontario. Their time in Canada took the family from Harold, to London Ontario, then to Peterborough Ontario and finally to Abbotsford BC in 1982. Upon arriving in Canada, leaving behind the comforts and security of family and friends in Eindhoven Holland, Maryke worked ceaselessly to build a new life and support her husband and family of five boys.

No task was too small or menial for Maryke, and all were undertaken with diligence and commitment. She always noticed and reached out to those who were less fortunate or some how burdened. She was a tireless worker who gave generously of herself. Maryke was well known for giving hundreds and hundreds of flower bouquets to those who were shut in at places like Extendicare or Civic Hospital in Peterborough, or simply to the churches or to her neighbours wherever she lived. She became known as the “Flower Lady”, as she picked the flowers from her own garden and those of friends and neighbours. Her sense of giving and caring for those in need lives on within all of us as core values that she has passed onto our entire family.

Maryke was predeceased by her husband Willem and her son Hans, who both passed away in 1996. She is survived by her sons, Pete (Joanne, grandchildren Geoff, Sarah, and Ashley, great-grandchildren Bennett, Chase and Ashton), Ron (grandchildren Eli and Christina, great-grandchildren Lola, Jude, Ridley and Milo), Rob (Laurie, grandchildren Jonathan, David and Benjamin), Eric (Delee, grandchildren Nicola and Willem), daughter-in-law Helinda and all of the many friends that she made over the years. Maryke had 14 siblings and is now only survived by her older sister Lies (96) in Holland.