VEERMAN (BATELAAN), Martha Maria

April 17, 1930 - January 23, 2024

Pre-deceased by her husband Heinz. Survived by children Maarten (Ann), Steven (Mary) and Tanya (Steve), her 6 grandchildren (Julia, Charlotte, Michael, Corey, Zane, and Scott) and 4 great-grandchildren Florence, Calton, Billie, and Bowie.

Born in Muiden, in the Netherlands, she grew up during the occupation, which had a great influence on her sense of justice, and she advocated for peace throughout her life. The liberation of Holland, at the hands of the Canadians, also had a profound impact on the rest of her life.

After highschool, she hitchhiked through Europe and worked in several countries to finance her nomadic lifestyle. She settled on a job working as a stewardess for KLM. Her small group of fellow-trainees from the airline met annually, and for decades she timed her visits to the Netherlands to see them.

Once married, she emigrated to Canada to start a new life with her geologist husband Heinz.

While raising her family, she worked hard to get a degree from UBC (1972), and immediately landed a job teaching French at West Vancouver Secondary, where she worked for over 15 years, and was a positive influence on many a teenager. She loved her job, and was well-loved by her students.

She was a founding member of the North Shore Unitarian congregation, helping to program the services early on, and, in later years, making pots and pots of soup for the church members. She also volunteered at the Single Parents Food Bank, taking care of the children.

Post retirement life included travel, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.