Maria Berndina Pruys (nee Alofs), 83, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born June 21, 1922 in Etten, Gelderland, Holland.
Maria was united in marriage to Fransciscus (Frans) Herman Pruys on Jan. 31, 1950. Two weeks after their marriage, they immigrated to Canada, where they took up residence in Roddick Township, Ont. for one year.
From there they moved to Devlin, Ont., where they raised eight children.
Following the passing of Frans in 1989, Maria moved to Fort Frances in 1991.
Maria was a devoted member of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic Women’s League, and the Big Fork Community Centre. Maria also thoroughly enjoyed all the years that she volunteered at the Sister Kennedy Centre.
The family includes four sons, William Pruys and wife, Linda, and Richard Pruys and wife, Cheryl, all of Crozier, Ont., Herman Pruys and wife, Sandra, of Fort Frances, Ont., and Joseph Pruys and wife, Rose, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and four daughters, Johanna and husband, Everett Garrioch, of Williams Lake, B.C., Antoinette and husband, Eric Kaufman, of Crozier, Ont., Marianne and husband, Russell Prociuk, of Winnipeg, Man., and Sylvia and husband, Don Smeeth, of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, Stacey and husband, Devon Pickles, Shawna and husband, Will Pynten, Derrick Pruys, Krista and husband, Shane Guimond, Melanie and husband, Stewart Allen, Brandy and husband, Greg Ponka, Joseph Pruys Jr., Christopher Monasterski, Jaime Monasterski, Corie Kaufman, Clinton Pruys, Stephen Pruys, Brian Prociuk, Christine and husband, Barrie Panas, Matt Smeeth, and Geoff Smeeth; and 13 great-grandchildren, Colby, Nathan, Alexis, Jade, Jonah, Marcus, Matt, Heidi, David, Brent, Zakery, Benjamin, and Samantha.
Maria has three sisters, Aleida, Francisca, and Grada Antonia living in Holland; as well as numerous nieces and nephews living in Canada and Holland.
She was predeceased by her husband, Fransciscus Pruys; parents, Hermanus and Antonia Alofs; six sisters, Johanna, Christina, Berendina, Hendrika, Theresia, and Josephina; and one infant granddaughter, Nikki Lee Pruys.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances following the luncheon.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 8, with parish prayers offered at 6:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be all Maria’s grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to Sister Kennedy Centre, 401 Nelson St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1B3 or a charity of your choice.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
