We, the family of Maureen Shela Holmgren (nee Stinson) are saddened by the passing of our mom at the age of 94 years just three months shy of her 95th birthday. In life she was a stubborn and fiercely independent person who always wanted to steer her own ship. We would like to imagine that she is still doing that, navigating through the milky way and beyond.

Always a loner and adventurer, she will be missed by her children Michael (Julie who passed before her), Heather (Jeff), Tamara (Len who passed before her), Philip (Sandra), Paul (Karen) and Braiden (Lena).

She was a mother to six, grandmother (Grambo) to 15, and great grandma to 12. She left a lifetime of stories and memories to share.

Mom was born in Vancouver BC to Fred and Margaret Stinson who had come to Canada from Ireland. She was one of seven siblings and the last of her family to pass away. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Dorothy and Patricia, and her brothers Fred, George, John and Robert.

The Stinson family moved to Haney when Mom was two years old. They farmed a small property on what is now Lougheed highway on the east side of town. The kids swam in Kanaka Creek, rode horses into the surrounding forests and drove milk cows along what is now the Haney Bypass.

When mom wanted to see the world, she joined the airforce and went east. While stationed in Quebec she met our dad. They married there and five of us kids were born on different airforce bases in different provinces and for our sister, even a different country. Our youngest brother was born back in Haney BC, now called Maple Ridge, after our dad retired from the RCAF, and in the town mom always considered her real home.

Mom and Dad had a small property at the end of Berryland Cannery Road where we had a few milk cows, some chickens, a lot of dogs and cats and many happy childhood escapades. We were raised to be responsible,  hardworking and to value a dollar. Mom stayed on that little farm after our dad passed away in 1980 and when it finally became too much for her  she moved to Brickwater in 2019. Old age can be unkind to someone determined to steer their own ship,  and when Mom wasn't able to live independently anymore, she moved to Maple Ridge Seniors Village.

The staff at MRSV was very kind to Mom and we appreciate all that they did for her. We take comfort in knowing that there will be many welcoming arms awaiting her on her next grand adventure.

Miss you Mom

A private celebration of life is planned in the spring for her kids and grandkids. Anyone wishing to remember Mom just needs to take a walk in the woods where she was always the most contented.