Celebrating the Life of Marie (Bouma) Hoekstra

Marie was born on October 04, 1928 in Makkum, Friesland in the Netherlands, fourth youngest of nine siblings. She met Wabe Hoekstra at a choir festival and Marie was impressed when Wabe had a car to drive her home. They were married in 1951 and immigrated to Canada in 1953 with their oldest son Garry. Marie was 7 months pregnant with Titia for the long voyage to Canada. Marie and Wabe had four more children born in Canada: Rena, Ray, Ed and Bill. Together they also were blessed with 14 grand children and 11 great grand children. Marie always had boundless energy and care for many foster children. She also worked as a cook at a local daycare and worked in Holland Christian Homes snack bar for several years. Marie loved to sing and sang in the choirs that Wabe directed. Marie and Wabe had 44 wonderful years together.
After being widowed, Marie met and married Peter DeBoer 1997. They had a lot in common as they were both from Makkum and knew each other as children. They also had a wonderful 24 years together. Marie and Peter loved to dress up in Friesian costumes and sing at various events. For years they entertained people with their music bringing joy to many.

Marie died peacefully with no sense of struggle. We are thankful for that. We are thankful for everything she was to us and everything she gave us. Her strong faith, her zest for life, her sense of fun, her love for gatherings and parties, her singing (both hymns and Friesian drinking songs), her love of fashion and gift of sewing, her gift of hospitality and reaching out to others, her ability to strike up a conversation with just about anybody, her love of animals and her love of life. Thanks be to God. One of Mom’s favourite songs was, “Count Your Blessings Name Them One by One.” She was grateful and thankful for all her blessings in life. She will be missed.