Maria Elena Vogelsang

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Maria.

Maria was survived by the lights of her life, her 3 sons; Jordan Klassen, Adam (Anastasia) Klassen, Matthew Briese, her soul sister Helen, her two best amigos, Katina and Ashley and their children, Sophia, Christina and Rachel.

She was predeceased by a young sister, her dad Theodore, mom Jackie and her K9 partner Jenny.

Maria was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Soon after she moved to Kelowna with her parents where she then completed school, married and had her first two sons Jordan and Adam. In the late 1990’s she moved with her family to Kamloops where she operated her own successful Landscaping business. In 2004 she was blessed with her third son Matthew. Right after Matt was born, she decided to go back to school to become a Health Care Assistant, a career that she had a great passion for. After several years of working hard she was able to achieve her dream of purchasing a home for her and Matthew.

Maria was a fiercely independent woman who worked hard to achieve her goals. She never gave up and never backed down. She loved animals, antiques and loved to sing and dance. She had a passion for the outdoors and was an avid gardener and took great pride in her yard and flowers. Maria and Matthew enjoyed not only feeding themselves from their massive garden, but the whole neighborhood as well.

She will be greatly missed by all those that knew her. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice for their care and compassion shown to Maria over these past few months. Thank you to Marni and Rachel for being steadfast in your love and also, a special thank you to Dr. Howie and Dr. Farren for their care and support during Maria’s difficult journey.

A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the Schoening Funeral Chapel, 513 Seymour Street. Reception to follow in the tea room, where friends are invited to further celebrate Maria’s life. Friends are asked to wear bright colors, NO BLACK. In lieu of flowers friends are asked to make donations to cancer research in memory of Maria.