Mary ( Maartje) Mansvelt

Our beloved Oma, Mary (Maartje) Mansvelt, of Grand Lake Oakfield, died on October 8, 2025 at the age of 93 in Hospice Halifax. Born on June 19, 1932 in Kootwijkerbroek, the Netherlands, she was the eldest daughter of Aart and Dirkje Lagerwey. Maartje grew up on the family farm where she learned the values of hard work, resilience, and commitment to family and faith. She knew tragedy from a young age, having lost 2 brothers in childhood. Her mother died after a long battle with cancer when Maartje was 20. As the eldest, she became a mother-figure to her 3 younger sisters and 3 brothers, and due to her family responsibilities, she regretfully had to withdraw from middle school. She knew scarcity during the occupation of her homeland in World War II, and told stories of men hiding in the fields and neighbours going missing. After the War, Maartje accepted an immigration sponsorship, and arrived in Halifax in 1956 via Pier 21 on board the MV Maasdam. The journey was the adventure of a lifetime; she felt spoiled since she didn't have to cook, do dishes or laundry for a whole week . She worked as a housekeeper for Colonel Kenrick and Mrs Violet Laurie of Oakfield, a large farm estate on the shore of Grand Lake. Maartje became “Mary” at Mrs. Laurie’s request. Mrs. Laurie was like a mother to her and became a lifelong friend to the family. Despite not knowing any English, Mary learned the language quickly and especially enjoyed the company of other Dutch immigrants on the farm. In 1957, she married Nicolaas Mansvelt and after some time in New Glasgow, they returned to build a home in Grand Lake to raise their family of nine children. Mom poured herself into loving and caring for her children, and also many neighborhood children over the years. She made a homemade meal that 11 hungry faces shared elbow to elbow around the table every night. Her macaroni and cheese and her pancakes were family favorites. She baked almost every day, and said that laundry was her favorite hobby. Mom always had a full clothesline flying in the wind, even in winter. Her mending was a work of art. Mom helped us sort our newspapers after school, and sent us out on our bikes or on foot to deliver them, for 6 days a week, for years. She took delight in each of her 26 grandchildren, and then her 15 (and counting) great-grandchildren. Oma loved phone calls; one of her greatest gifts was keeping us all connected by sharing each other’s stories. Oma happily welcomed visitors with coffee or tea and sweets at her cozy home. We will always remember her two-armed goodbye wave. She had a humble, quiet faith and enjoyed volunteering in the nursery at Hillside Wesleyan Church, Fall River Chapel, and later in the prayer shawl ministry at St Margaret’s Church, Oakfield. Mom will be forever missed by Reta, Melissa (Todd), Stephanie (Scott), and Greg (Nikki); Deirdre (Dr. Ian Grant), Hannah, Nicolaas, Luke, and Gina; Chris (Marilyn), Joel (Katie), Daniel (Natalie), and Andrew (Tia); Carolyn (David), Ben (Nicolette), Noah, and Sam; David (Jody) and Jonathan; Jeannie (Paul), Jacob, Mollie, and Emma; Brenda (Derek), Lauren; Johnny (Denise), Abigail (Andrew), Katie, and Laura; Wendy (David), Matthew, William, and Evan. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Nick, her brothers Bertus, Rijk, and Bart, son-in-law Bob Honour, grandchildren Jonah and Grace. Mary is survived by her sisters Ellen, Janny, and Cobie, brothers Jaap and Dick, and special Mansvelt in-laws.

Mary ( Maartje) Mansvelt

June 19, 1932 - October 8, 2025