"Lois" Marie Louise Vaalburg

Lois Vaalburg passed peacefully at Royal Arch Masonic Home in Vancouver on October 29, 2022.

Predeceased by her husband, Matthew Vaalburg and son-in-law Wilfred Steijgerwalt. 

Lois will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Lois and Janet (Alphonse) and son Herman (Brenda); grandchildren Fred (Srey Oun), Tim (Kelsey), Crystal (Allan), Vincent and Matthew; and 9 great grandchildren.

Born in Holland in 1923 to Christiaan Plug and Alida Margareta Plug-Niessink, Lois was the second youngest of ten children. Active as a child, she enjoyed riding her bike as well as swimming, baseball, and soccer. With a lifelong passion for reading, she always had a book on the go. She also loved playing board games and carried on well into her 90’s. As a young woman, she joined the Netherlands Red Cross and ventured to Indonesia as a nurse’s aide. Upon her return to Holland, she and Matt were married. After the birth of Lois and Herman, they emigrated to Canada, settling in Port Coquitlam where daughter Janet was born.

She and Matt enjoyed travelling, spending time with daughter Lois and her husband Wilfred in Holland and venturing throughout Europe. They loved the warmth of Palm Springs and would often drive there several times a year. It was magical when we had the opportunity to spend Christmas there with them.

Lois retired after 27 years with BC Tel. In retirement, she took up tennis and enjoyed playing with her best friend Isabell along with Matt and others from the tennis club. She also won awards for table tennis at the BC Senior games.

We’ll miss Mom’s warmth, kindness, and her sense of humour.

We thank the staff at Royal Arch Masonic Home for the wonderful care and support they provided over the past 3 years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Royal Arch Masonic Homes Funding Society, 7850 Champlain Crescent, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5S 4C7.

Family members will be gathering in a private celebration of her life.