MAARTMAN,
Maude Blanche (nee Harding)
Sunrise April 22, 1923
Sunset May 9, 2014
May you always walk in sunshine…
Blanche loved the sunshine, songs of birds and the trees they sang from. She was a free spirit who lived a long and remarkable life. Her passions were many and she left her mark on the lives of others all around the world.
May the bluebird sing your song…
Born in Brandon, Manitoba to Douglas and Maude Harding, she spent Her childhood on Bowen Island with her brothers and sisters, Cyril, Eric, Gordon, Eva and Lloyd. She trained as a teacher at Vancouver’s Normal School and became an educator in a one-room schoolhouse in northern BC, the Cowichan Valley and in Suzhou, China.
May you always live with laughter…
Living through the nineteen thirties gave her the resourcefulness to raise her children. It was a blended family of his, hers, ours and others – in her eyes we were all her children and therefore family; Robert and Gordon Waters, Jack, Zeni, Ben, Maya and Einar Maartman, and Tu Yong Gong. And, in our eyes she was Mom, Nanie, Grandma and the occasional “Miss Blanche’.
And may you always be a dreamer…
She so loved her soul mate and partner of 52 years, Ben Maartman. They shared their home in the forests of Errington, BC and their doors were always open to numerous family, friends and the odd characters that journeyed from the far-flung recesses of the world just to meet them once again.
May your wildest dream come true…
Blanche’s art works are simply amazing watercolors – never for sale, always for family and friends. It was her one passion that lasted from her childhood to the last days of her life. Her art provided insight into how she looked at her life and her years of travels around the globe. Her original birthday cards are cherished gifts.
And though we go our sep’rate way,
we’ll share the mem’ry of this day.
A celebration of Blanche’s life is being held on July 19, 2014 at the North Oyster Community Centre (13467 Cedar Road Ladysmith BC) from 1:30 to 3:30pm. RSVP to bmaartma@telus.net
In lieu of flowers please give a donation to your favorite charity for children.