RUITENBERG, MARIA “MIEKE” - Maria "Mieke" Ruitenberg, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 14, 2011 at the ProTem Home in Moncton. Born on August 30, 1930 of Dutch parents on the island of Java in Indonesia. She was the daughter of the late Harry and Theodora (te Riele) Waterschoot. She is survived by her daughter: JoyAnn Couture (Geoffrey) of Dieppe; her sons: Ian (Rose Mallet) of Whitehorse, YT, and Gary (Sheila Keating) of Halifax, NS; her grandchildren: Ben and Luke Ruitenberg and Michelle and Denise Couture. She is also survived by her former husband, Dr. Arie Ruitenberg (Marie Little) of Sussex, NB; her sister, Ellen Barendse (Gerard), as well as her brother, France Waterschoot, both from the Netherlands. Mieke was well known for the unique silver jewellery pieces that she designed and crafted herself and sold at the New Brunswick Craft Shows for many years. Two of her extraordinary silver necklaces won prizes at the Toronto National Exhibition. An active member of the Quaker Society, her family thanks her Quaker friends who continued to visit her throughout her last years. She will be long remembered for her generous spirit, her caring ways towards the less fortunate, her philosophical outlook on life and her wonderful sense of humour.
Honoring the family’s wishes, there was no visitation. A Celebration of her Life was held at Frenette Funeral Home, 88 Church Street, Moncton on Friday September 16, 2011. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Southeast NB (506-858-8380 / www.alzheimernb.ca/site/make_a_donation) or do an act of kindness in her memory. www.frenettefuneralhome.com