Obituary of Marie Antionette Geeraert

Marie was born on July 18, 1929, and passed away peacefully on November 20, 2023, at the Rockyview Hospital.  Marie was predeceased by Peter, her loving husband of 61 years and her son Dale (Lorrie). Marie is survived by her children Gerald (Dorothy), John (Arlene), Rosalie, Edmund (Kathy), Doug (Cheryl) and Frances (Ken).  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  Marie will be dearly missed by all.

Marie led a wonderful, fulfilling life. She was born the youngest child to Dora and Frank Henke and grew up on a farm just north of Rockyford. Once finished school, Marie worked in the local bank when she began courting our father, Peter Geeraert. They were married in November of 1952 and farmed for their first 28 years until retiring to the town of Rockyford.  There she had time to volunteer, continue with many of her creative hobbies, and enjoy the first of their grandchildren.  Thereafter our parents moved to Calgary to be closer to heart doctors for our father.  Marie embraced her new life making friends, community, and doing volunteer work at Sarcee nursing home and Holy Name Parish. After 10 years, they moved to Cochrane to be closer to their younger kids. When Peter passed away, Marie moved to Wheatland Lodge in Strathmore. Mom was very grateful for her time at the Wheatland Lodge enjoying her friends, card games and lots of laughs. In 2020, Marie made her final move, back to Cochrane where she resided at the Bethany Lodge for her remaining years.  We are told by residents there that she always wore a smile despite her ailments and became an inspiration for both residents and staff.  Even during her final days of suffering, she often adorned her beautiful smile and shared her wisdom for her family who surrounded her.

Our mother was a woman of deep faith, hard work, and service to both church and community.  She will always be an inspiration for her children and grandchildren.  We will miss her and her beautiful smile immensely.

A prayer service will be held on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Rockyford at 7:00 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will take place the following day, Friday, November 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m also at St. Rita’s Church, Rockyford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Bethany Care Centre, Cochrane https://bethanyseniors.com/communities/bethany-cochrane/ or Wheatland Hospice Society https://www.wheatlandhospice.ca/