Marrigje Brink

Marrigje Brink-Bijl was born May 13, 1924 in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia.  One of three children she lived in Indonesia until shortly before WWII when her parents sent her and her siblings to The Netherlands as it was deemed a safer place to be than the country of her birth.

And that is how she initially moved to Amsterdam, and through the circumstances of war was moved to the eastern part of the country to live with a family on their farm.  It was in the village that Mom and Dad came to meet each other during the “Hunger Winter” of 1945.  Clearly God’s guidance in their lives!  They married on May 24, 1949.  Immigrating to South Africa they faced the challenges of beginning a new life in a new country.  Three of their children were born there before they decided to immigrate to Canada in 1957.  Once again they faced some difficult times as most immigrants do.  In 1958 their youngest, Margaret, was born.  Finally, in 1959 they moved to Prince George, BC.

Mom was always very hospitable and often one of us had to sleep on the couch in order to make room for a guest or guests; some of whom stayed for a while.  For many years Mom typed the church bulletin and a different times she chaired the “Ladies Society” whose main focus was Bible study, but also contributed by organizing church activities for fun, fellowship, and raising monies for the local church’s needs as well as mission projects.  Mom also kept the books and paperwork for “Pioneer Parts Rebuilding Ltd.”; the business Dad and Mark set up in 1977.

However, Mom’s most important task was raising her children and making our home a haven of safety.  She taught us many things which we mostly absorbed by osmosis.  Margaret, the youngest, had cerebral palsy and was cared for with great love and dedication by Mom until her death in 1985.  In His goodness God gave Mom and Dad a number of years with just the two of them in which they enjoyed good health and could also travel to Indonesia, South Africa, The Netherlands, and go across Canada.  Besides this they were blessed with the joy of becoming Grandparents.  After moving the Ponoka, Alberta in 1993 Dad started showing signs of Alzheimer’s.  Mom became his loving and faithful caregiver as long as she could manage.

Mom’s richest and most meaningful legacy to her children and grandchildren is her deep and abiding faith which was clearly expressed in word and deed.  Mom related all of life to God the centre of all true living.  She demonstrated the Christian walk by daily personal devotions, reading age-appropriate Bible stories to us, having us sing a hymn after dinner each day, and modelling a wonderful intimacy with God in prayer.  Mom made Christmas and Easter so very special and Christ-centred by the atmosphere in our home more than decorations and treats.  Lent and Advent were a meaningful focus. There was never any doubt about “the reason for the season”.  Christmas carols filled our home and “The Messiah” woke us on Christmas morning. Easter morning Mom woke us with a joyful “The Lord is risen!”

Throughout many years, even to the last, Mom’s heartfelt gratitude to God for His mercy and goodness in the first place, but for even the smallest kindness or service was evident.

The greatest legacy Mom leaves is her sincere modelling of the God-centred life.  She has faithfully and with great “endurance run the race ... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”. (ESV)

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Catharina (Roelof) Bluemink of Parksville, BC and Johan (Tammy) and family of Prince George, BC, and Kathleen Bluemink of Edmonton; daughter Wilhelmina (Gerrit) Stolk and Dirk (Sophie) and family, Mark (Michelle) and family, Garry (Bethany) and family, and Sarah (Brad) and family, all of Ponoka; and son Martinus (Susan) Brink and Maria (Josh) Brink/Pattie of Victoria, BC, Andrew (Robyn McMurtrie) Brink, and Anna (Colin) Duff, all of Prince George, BC.

A very sincere Thank You to the staff at the Ponoka Long Term Care for the wonderful love and care shown to our Mom.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Parkland Reformed Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2017.  The family Interment Service will be held earlier that day at the Earlville-Rutherford Cemetery east of Ponoka.  Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to The Bible League of Canada.

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