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Maria VanderSpank
June 4, 1932 - March 24, 2015
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<div itemprop="description">Maria (Ria) Van der Spank, (Van den Abbeele) <br />1932 &ndash; 2015 <br />of Dorchester, formally of Nilestown and Belmont, passed away peacefully at Meadow Park London Long Term Care on Tuesday, March 24,2015 in her 83rd year. Ria has re-united in heaven with her beloved husband Dr. Gil Vander Spank, DVM, deceased December 2012. Mom&rsquo;s passion was her family, she leaves behind, Paul (Debbie) of Harrietsville, Robert of Belmont, Elizabeth Murray of Dorchester, Karen Findlater (Dave) of Dorchester, Francine Rowse of Dorchester, Brien of Dorchester, Bruce of London, Christopher (Jessica) of Belmont and Stephen (Kim) of Belmont. Adored by her grandchildren Dana (fianc&eacute; Jason), Michele and Mark, Joshua Peters (Lindsey) and Abbey Grayson (Ryan), Michael, Brandy and Katie Findlater, Rachel (fianc&eacute; Zack), Megan and Mitchel Rowse, Kailey, Shea and Brady, Matthew, Lindsay and Nicholas, Luke and Tori. She was recently blessed with three great grandsons, Nash and Cole Grayson and James Peters. Survived by a sister and brother in the Netherlands, Elisabeth van den Schoot van den Abbeele, Ad (Thea) van den Abbeele and their Families along with sister-in-law, ( Sjef deceased) Mia van den Abeele van den Brand. In Canada are sister-in-law (Harry deceased) Wilhelmina Vander Spank, nieces Yvonne (Richard) Baines and Norma Linkiewicz and Families. Ria was born in St. Odenrode, Netherlands. She met Gil in 1948 and dad immigrated to Canada in 1951 to pursue his education at the Ontario Veterinary College. Ria took the leap of faith in 1954 to join Gil in Guelph, Ontario after 3 years apart. She became a Nurses Aid staying with the Nuns of St. Joseph&rsquo;s Hospital until they were married September 10, 1955. Nine children were born in ten years, moving from Guelph, Paris, Belmont and then Nilestown. Although her fulltime career was devoted to raising her family, Ria was a strong partner in Gil&rsquo;s Veterinary practice and farming operations. She loved gardening, baking, dancing, hard work and most of all her grandchildren. Ria was a member of the Mary Immaculate C.W.L. and Church Choir, she also enjoyed the YMCA with friends. Ria was diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease in her mid 60&rsquo;s, she had a remarkably strong heart but her long goodbye is finally over as she has &ldquo;waltzed&rdquo; her way peacefully to join the love of her life. The Family would like to thank all of the compassionate care givers at Meadowpark Nursing Home who looked after her for many years. We would also like to thank the countless friends who have kept her in their hearts. The family will receive visitors at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1997 Dundas St. E. (at Wavell), on Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish, 1980 Trafalgar St. on Friday, March 25, 2015 at 11 am. Burial Dorchester Union Cemetery to follow. Donations to the Alzheimer Society or the VON Middlesex-Elgin would be greatly appreciated. <br /> <br /></div>