VAN STRATEN
With great sadness and heavy hearts the family of Marie "Dean" Van Straten announce her passing on August 15, 2013 in Edmonton, AB. Born September 20, 1940 to John and Millicent Graydon, she had many joyous stories of adventure and mischief with a childhood shared by a caring older brother, six younger sisters and one younger brother. She wed, Bernard Van Straten, as a young woman in 1958 and began the hard work of helping build a successful farm and happy home for her three children; Marianne, Larry and Laurie. Her greatest gift and most remarkable success was in being a mother and in turn, a loving grandma and granny to her six grandchildren and a proud great-grandma to her two great grandchildren. Her generosity of spirit, coupled with her calm, level-headed logic made her a great source of wisdom to them and to her many friends and family members both near and far. In the face of adversity she taught them all of perseverance, courage and of having the strength to live your best life. Through the busy years and beyond she made the time to pursue her many talents and varied interest; sewing, painting and the arts, reading, crosswords, board games, gardening and travel being only a few. Although often seen as quiet and soft spoken, those who knew her well saw a fiercely strong and determined woman with a quick wit, keen mind and striking sense of humor. These traits rang true throughout her life and held her up bravely until her last moments here on this earth. She is lovingly remember by her three children Marianne MacDonald of Tumbler Ridge, BC, Larry (Cheryl) of Stettler and Laurie Snowden (Sean) of Edmonton; her six grandchildren Matthew, Misean, Robert, Tara, Graydie and Raymi; as well as her brother Ed and her sisters Shirley, Bonnie, Pat, Maureen, Kathleen and Marlene. She is predeceased by her parents and younger brother, Steven. As an expression of sympathy and of hope, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A private family memorial will take place in the spring along the shores of Moyie Lake in BC; a lake laced with her childhood memories.