Maatje "Margaret" Hameister

Maatje or “Margaret” as many knew her is lovingly remembered by her three sisters, Francine Hoekstra, Truus Van Der Wey,  Nell Groenewegen; brother-in-law Nic; nieces and nephews in Canada: John (Wanda) Groenewegen, Richard (Jane) Groenewegen, Jim (Lene) Groenewegen, Diana (Ivan) Mast, Vivian (Gary) Simpson; Eric (Roxine) Hameister, Merton (Rena) Hameister, Lois (Ron Ries) Hameister, Mark (Lori) Hameister and many other nieces and nephews in Holland and Finland.

She was predeceased by her first husband Bruce Hameister and second husband Ace Eiland; parents Johannes and Neeltje de Bruyne;  sisters Johanna, Maria; brothers Jacob (4 yr.), Jacob, Joop, Marten;  sisters-in-law  Corrie, Bert, Caroline; brothers-in-law Lolke, John, Jan, Herman, Bill.

Margaret was born in Vlissingen, Holland.  She and her family endured hard times during the depression and the Nazi occupation of Holland during the second world war.  She eventually got her nursing degree and nursed for 6 months in England and then 6 months in Scotland.  She and a friend then did some travelling in Europe.  Wanting to experience more, she came to Canada by boat to Montreal and then train to Edmonton where she got a job at the University Hospital and stayed with her sister Nell and family until she was settled.  A tall man from Bashaw was in the hospital for surgery and caught her eye.  She married Bruce Hameister on January 21, 1960, and they moved to Forestburg where Bruce ran a trucking business hauling coal. They then moved to Bashaw for the rest of their married life. They spent their honeymoon in Florida which then became a lifelong winter home for them.  They had a mobile home for over 25 years in Lion’s Lair on Grassy Key in the Florida Keys and spent 5 months of the year there.  It was a place that both of them loved very much.

Bruce passed away in 1988.  Margaret married Ace Eiland but he, unfortunately, passed away shortly after.  Eventually Margaret moved to Rimolka Lodge in Ponoka, a brief time in Northcott, then to Bashaw long-term care and finally Sherwood Care in Sherwood Park.

She was much loved by her sisters, brothers and many nephews, grandnephews, nieces and grandnieces.  She loved babies and little children and her large extended family.

A service to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the United Church in Bashaw. 

Donations in remembrance can be made to the Bashaw Cemetery Fund.

 Service Information