MAARTJE (MARTY) CATHARINA SLYKER

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MAARTJE (MARTY) CATHARINA SLYKER

(nee BOON)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our much-loved mother and oma, Maartje Catharina Slyker (née Boon) on January 18, 2026, at Donwood Personal Care Home. Marty spent her final days surrounded by her family’s love and prayers. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jan Slyker in 2005. Marty was born to Abram and Cornelia Boon on August 3, 1928, after sister Janny and brother Jaap. She was also very blessed by her step-mother Jitske after the early death of her mother.

Marty was a dynamic, joyful, resilient and gifted servant of God. She was a devoted mother of six, Oma of 16 and Great-Oma of 29. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by Marilyn and Herman (Jonathan, Elyse, Stefan), Julie and Vic (Laura, Trina, Luke), Linda and Ted (Marissa, Jacquelyn, Tenille), Cory and Bob (Curtis, Jeffrey, Brooklynn), Amy and James (Andrea, Sarah), John and Chris (Jon Michael, Anna) and all of her great-grandchildren.

Mom’s faith in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was shown in all the paths of her life. She lived out the commandments in Luke 10:27 “Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.” She tirelessly served her church of immigrant families in many roles. Marty loved music and was able to sing most hymns by heart, even singing along with carols just before Christmas. She loved to study the Bible and share its truth with others. Her faithful life of service is a heritage and a blessing to each one touched by her life. As she would say, “To God be the Glory, great things He has done!”

Mom’s fierce bravery during the Second World War stopped her ailing Dad from going with the soldiers who were taking him to a work camp. She also carried messages in her shoes for the underground and helped her aunt with caring for three Jewish girls hiding in their attic.

Having trained as a nurse in her homeland of the Netherlands, she put her career of caring for others on hold to emigrate with her husband Jan to Winnipeg and begin caring for their own family. Having lost her Mom at age four and raised by her dad and doting aunts, she needed to learn the culinary arts as she went along, with the aid of helpful neighbours. She had an adventuresome spirit. She learned to drive at 35 and always referred to her car as wings.

Mom supported Dad in his many endeavours, and endured the weeks of camping in tents with six kids for many years, until they thankfully found their little trailer on Red Rock Lake where she could finally enjoy a holiday - such a blessing! Together, she and Dad tackled the job of renovating a large fixer-upper house in Norwood that was a great fit for our large family. They saw the potential and worked so hard to make it into a beautiful home.

Mom was a gifted seamstress, dressing us all in special outfits. She also sewed all of our wedding dresses, despite also working out of the home. Her knitting and tatting, always done for others, was intricate and treasured.

At age 41, Mom felt the call to refresh her training and return to nursing. She first attained her LPN, and a few years later, RN, despite having been told she was “too old”. She managed to convince St. Boniface that she had many years of service left and went on to nurse for over 20 years. Her compassionate care blessed many seniors over the years.

Mom taught us to love deeply by her lived example. She was a kind and gentle caregiver for all of us, for those she cared for in her nursing career, and her dear friends in her church family.

She taught us to find joy in simple things, by delighting in things not obtained by wealth but simple things presented to her in the moment. The joy of watching birds bathe in a bird bath, the glory of a beautiful flower in the garden, the wonder of a newborn child.

Mom was a role model in many ways. She had a passion for what was right when she felt there were wrongs, but ultimately, she was a gentle person who tried to understand rather than judge.

We are so thankful for the lovely mother God gave us. We’re also thankful she is now at peace, having lived the most amazing life! She was a good and faithful servant who taught us all about grace, a light in the world. She recently said, “I’m thankful for the joy that I have, I have a loving family. If God is with us in our life, then everything will be O.K.”.

We greatly appreciate the exceptional care provided by staff at Donwood Personal Care Home. You were a blessing to Mom during her seven year stay with you.

A celebration of Marty’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Place of Grace Church, 1040 Beach Avenue in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Inner City Youth Alive, an organization very close to her heart.

Tributes: www.GreenAcresFuneralHome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2026