Maria Van Vliet, 101, was blessed to have lived a long, healthy life. She was born on Jan. 7, 1908 in Rozenburg, Holland and was the 7th born into a family of 10 children; Elizabeth, Arend, Huibertje, Wilhelmina, Antje, Willem, Huig, Klaas and Marion, all of whom preceded her in death. By 1948, the 5 brothers and their families had made their way to California. Maria joined them when she immigrated in the 1950s to Southern California after caring for their  father, leaving 4 sisters and their families in the Netherlands. There, she lived with family and took on a few jobs as a caregiver helping with children or the elderly and helping with their housekeeping. Maria loved caring for little children with her calm manner. She also loved  crocheting and knitting. She moved to Ripon where she lived about 14 years in different areas of the Bethany Home. The caregivers there were  wonderful to her and her family is grateful for the love shown to her  there.  

Maria’s graveside service will be held on Friday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m. at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Road in Escalon.  In loving memory please send donations to Bethany Home, 930 W. Main Street, Ripon. Arrangements by Deegan Funeral Chapel, Escalon with an online guest book at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.