Obituary of Maria Elizabeth Dendooven

Beloved wife of the late Emiel Dendooven (2019).  Loving mother of Diane (Dave Thibert), David (Michael Brock), Chantal (Dennis Tremblay) and Derek (Jennifer Mullen).  Grandmother to Greg (Ruth), Rachelle, late Joshua, Alenna (Eric), Aiden, Riley, Denica and Jacob.  Great grandmother of Logan and Alessia. Predeceased by parents Médard Focquaert and Irma Claeys and in-laws Jules Dendooven and Emelia Sallet.  Dear sister to the late Frans (Annie), late Paul (Jeanine), Monique (late Placide), Herman (late Lydia), Rosanne (Jan), Robert (Nicole), Joris (Marleen), Willy (Marleen), Martina (Paul) and late Marleen (Herman).  Sister-in-law of Gilbert (Nera), Jérôme (Rosa), Marie-Irène, and late Daniel (late Liliane) (Willy).  She is survived by many nieces and nephews in Belgium.

Family and friends will be received at Visitation Parish Church, Comber on Friday September 6, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.  Memorial Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, Tilbury on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.  Please note there will be no visitation prior to the Memorial Mass.  Also note the change of churches.  Interment to follow at Annunciation Cemetery, Stoney Point (Pointe-aux-Roches).  In lieu of flowers donations to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada or Windsor-Essex Hospice appreciated.

Maria immigrated to Canada with Emiel in 1961.  They bought a dairy farm in St. Polycarpe (Quebec) before moving several years later to Southwestern Ontario, settling on a farm outside Pointe-aux-Roches.   Retirement brought them to Belle River and, most recently for Mom, Tilbury.

Mom had boundless energy, loved gardening, biking, cooking and entertaining.  She was always well-dressed, a typical European woman.  She was our family matriarch who kept close tabs on us all, including family back in Belgium.  Mom always had an elaborate spread of food available at a moment’s notice.  Recipes were not followed, they were merely an inspiration. Staying in touch with her many friends was an important part of her life.

Mom’s very sudden and tragic passing has left us all heartbroken.  We take comfort in the knowledge that she left this world doing something she loved - biking on a quiet country road.

Livestream of Memorial Mass available at https://eriestclairparishes.com