HUMMELEN, Maria "Mary" nee Bax - was born in De Bilt, Utrecht, the Netherlands on July 28, 1933 the daughter of Jacob (1999) and Adriana (1996) Bax. Mary was taken up to glory by God at His time, mercifully and peacefully on September 6, 2013 surrounded by her children and twin sister. She was the beloved wife of the late Bert Hummelen (1975). She was also a loving mother to Audrey Hummelen and Andrew and Tena Hummelen. Dear Oma of Greg Hummelen, Rebecca and Matthew Lutz, Robert Hummelen and his girlfriend Ashley Grootenboor and Michael and Kate Hummelen. Mary was also a special grandma to Jeff. Mary was predeceased by her brother Jim Bax (1994) and sister and brother in law, Joanne (1998) and Bill Vanderploeg (1995), brother in law Al Herfst (2011), sister in law Renske Hummelen (2012), as well as her lovely niece Tracey Zwiers (2010). Mary will be sorely missed by her special sister, her twin, Margaret Herfst, and her other loving sisters/brothers in law Ruth Bax, Gertie and Adrian Wielhouwer, Jean and Pete VanHelden, Clarence and Lorraine Bax, Art and Barb Bax, Bernie and Tina Bax, Hank and Margriet Bax, Herb and Janette Bax, and Fritz and Jan Bax. Mary was also a devoted sister in law to Koos and Anja Hummelen and Hittjo and Ria Hummelen and a dear relative to Jake and Rennie Hulzebos and their family. Mary was an aunt and great aunt to many, many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was also a very devoted cousin and friend. She was most grateful for the care given to her by Doctors McLean, Tomen and Gamble as well as the wonderful staff at the Chatham Retirement Resort and most recently, the amazing caregivers at the Copper Terrace. Mary worked as a nanny and housekeeper upon her arrival to Canada. She was then a stay at home mom to her precious twins. She went on to become a part time sewing teacher at Calvin Christian School followed by working in the cafeteria at UCC, at a local department store, as an accountant assistant and also at a residential setting for the Association for Community Living where she was the loving cook/housekeeper until her retirement. Mary was also a very active volunteer by taking care of many through her work with Al-Anon, the Parkinson's Society, Meals on Wheels, her church and her family needs. Mary loved nature, especially the beach or listening to birds singing, eating chocolates and peanuts in bed while reading a good book, cooking, baking, sewing, music and theatre, traveling and most of all, her family. Mary will be resting at the BOWMAN FUNERAL HOME, 4 Victoria Avenue (519-352-2390). Visitation: Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 2-4:00 p.m. and 7-9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at Grace Christian Reformed Church (255 Tweedsmuir Ave West) in Chatham on Monday, September 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery immediately following the services. Mary's family invites you to the Fellowship Hall afterwards for a time of rejoicing for Mary's life. In lieu of flowers, it was Mary's wish is that you consider making a contribution to the important work of the Michael J. Fox Canadian Foundation for Parkinson's Research 365 Bay Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON, M5H 2V1, 1-800-708-7644. On line condolences are welcome at www.bowmanfh.ca
