Obituary - Meridith Van Maarion

Sincere Condolences Rick & Family with the Passing of Meri. She Will Be Missed. 💔 🥀 🙏

Dear Rick and family,
Many of us in MHADRTA were either colleagues of Meri at Crestwood, or in SD76, or in schools in the neighbouring Catholic district, and we are deeply saddened to learn of her passing and share your sorrow. She was an amazing woman and educator—loved by staff, students and parents. May the love and support of family and friends bring you comfort and strength as you mourn her passing. Treasure all the beautiful memories you have made over the years. From all of us at MHADRTA, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and sending our deepest sympathies.

Sincere condolences to Rick, Megan, Jesse, Emily and your families. While heaven may be rejoicing the addition of a beautiful angel, we are left to grieve and remember the beloved matriarch, friend and leader that Meri was. She has made such an amazing difference in the world through her courage, actions, love and compassion that her influences will continue through time immemorial. We are all blessed by having been touched by her love 😘

Meri was a force to be reckoned with. She loved her family deeply and I loved her as my beautiful Canadian cousin. Her parents took in my brother and I for a few short years when we were very young and we lived with them on their farm in Innisfail. It felt like heaven and those few years were some of my happiest childhood memories. Life took us in different directions and although we saw little of one another throughout the years I missed her and thought of her often. She created the life I would’ve wished for her. A loving husband, beautiful and accomplished children, grandchildren she adored and an extended family that loved her as much as she loved them. She will be deeply missed ❤️

Rick and Family, my heartfelt condolences on Meri's passing.
Growing up together as neighbours and classmates, I have many memories to cherish.

Rick and family…our sincere condolences on Meri’s passing. Her love and pride in her family was always so evident. It was always such a pleasure to have a visit. We hope that all the wonderful memories you have will be a comfort to you in these difficult days.

Rick & Family,
Sending our deepest condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers and with you.
Dan & Carol

Rick, Jesse, Megan, and Emily,
My heart is with you all during this time of deep sorrow. May the love that surrounds you and the memories you hold bring comfort in the days ahead. Meri’s warmth and light will continue to shine through each of you.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Keeping you and your families all in my thoughts and prayers,
Candia, Race, Roman, and Sheybrie

Such very sad news. Deepest condolences to the Van Maarion family.

Dear Rick and family,
Sincere condolences and my deepest sympathy on the passing of Meridith.
May you find strength and peace in all the beautiful memories.
God bless you all and I keep you in my prayers.
Sincerely.
Corry

To Rick, Megan, Jesse, Emily and families: Please accept my sincere condolences. I was fortunate enough to have worked with Meri at Southview Community School for many years. She was a very loving and caring teacher and was a great addition to our staff. She will missed by all who knew her.

Rick and family, I was so very sad to hear of Meri’s passing. She was an amazing woman who shared of her talents freely with her students, staff & the parents of those she taught. She was also a woman who dearly loved her family & her friends. May all of your great memories that have been made over the years, bring you some comfort now. May she Rest in Peace.🪦 💔

My deepest condolences to Emily and family. My heart aches for you all❤️. Sending strength and love to you. I know how much your mother meant to you all. Think of all the wonderful memories you shared. She will be forever in your ❤️s.
Love
Adriane

Mrs. Van Maarion was a vice principal at Crestwood when I knew her. She was always kind. I was always in her office for something but she always was there to help me deal with my issues for the day. I cant believe the sad news. I wish her family the best during this time.

Dear Rick and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Meri's presence at Crestwood shaped my teaching and I will be forever grateful for that influence. I was lucky to bump into her a few weeks ago and we visited for awhile. Her kindness and genuine concern for others is something I will always remember. I hope that you all will find peace and ease in the memories that you all hold in your hearts. My heart is broken for you - there is a tremendous hole in our community without her. Hugs.

So sorry to hear of Meri’s passing. Deepest condolences.

Ronda Herrmann-Stickel
Gordon Stickel

Rick, Jesse, Megan and Emily,
We are so sad to hear of Meri’s passing. She was such a kind and beautiful soul. She was one of those individuals that was able to brighten one’s day just with her smile and sense of humour.
She will be sadly missed but her memory will live on in your hearts.

Sending my most sincere condolences to the Van Maarion family! Meri was such a kind and wonderful lady! Cherish your memories as you guide through your loss! ❤️

Sincere condolences to Rick and family. Meri was a dear friend and colleague of my mom's. Meri was respected by many and will be surely missed by all.

To Richard and your children and grandchildren:
Richard, you may recall that I first met Meri and you at our first prenatal class (for your Jesse and my Willis). And although we have not seen much of one another over the years my lasting memory of Meri is that of a wonderful, kind and caring Mom who always had a twinkle in her eye when she spoke of Jesse. (I'm sure that twinkle then extended to your sisters as well. and to all the wonderful grandchildren she got to enjoy.) My deepest condolences Richard and to Jesse and your sisters and all of your families.
Sincerely, Peggy Howard

Condolences to Rick and families. So sorry. Lots of good memories to hold….

Dear Rick and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Meri's passing. Our thoughts are with you, the family she left behind.
She was a great friend who was always there to listen and give her advice and love.
We will miss her,
Pat and Jack

Deepest condolences to Rick and family. She was a neighbour you never forget.

Please accept my condolences. Meri’s positive personality and smile is like non other. I am very sad for your family’s loss.

When my daughter attended Crestwood School years ago, Mrs. Van Maarion supported me in a tough situation. I will always remember her for that. She was kind, empathetic, and made everyone around her feel good. She ALWAYS said hi in the hallway, with a genuine smile on her face. We are deeply saddened to read of her passing and will remember her as being so nice. Condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Rick, Jesse, Megan, Emily,
My deepest condolences on Meri's passing. She was such a special lady! I worked in the library at Southview School, and always looked forward to seeing Meri. My daughter was in Meri's class and absolutely adored her!
You are all in my thoughts.

Dear Rick, Jesse, Megan, Emily and families,
Our deepest condolences to your beautiful family.
As a fellow teacher at Southview School and a dear friend, Meri touched the lives of so many with her kindness, positivity, and unwavering encouragement. She was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her, and her absence will be deeply felt in our hearts and halls. May her memory be a source of strength and comfort. She will be missed by so many.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to you, Rick, and your family in the loss of your dear Meri.

It is with much sadness that I send my condolences to Rick and entire family.

I will always remember Meri as a very caring, kind, and special lady. Knowing her as VP at Crestwood School helped to make my time there welcoming, and comfortable knowing how approachable she was.

May all the good memories of the past bring you all great comfort in the days ahead.

Sincerely, Diane

Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to you all and your families. Hold onto your memories as they remain forever!
Gord, Terry and family

Dear Rick, Jesse, Megan, Emily and families…
Our deepest sympathy to you all in the loss of Meri.
Hope your fond memories will help to ease the sorrow you are feeling today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Verna and Delvin Moch and family.

Dear Rick and Family,

It is with the deepest sorrow that I send you my love and prayers as you walk as a strong and courageous family through this most difficult season in life. Meri, as I knew her, was a remarkable friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. I had the distinct pleasure and honor of working with Meri at Crestwood School for three years. Those three years were the greatest years of my career and Meri was the center of that magical time. Meri had a gentleness, a kindness, a reverence, a passion, a compassion, an empathy, and a resounding gifting for understanding people, particularly those in need, those with hurt, pain or trauma. Meri always understood, always knew the path to take and always brought sunshine to an otherwise dark moment or series of moments in countless lives. Meri had an insight into people’s lives and a perspective of the world, of how to live in this world that centered solely on extending love, joy, acceptance, grace and mercy to all she met. What I will remember most about Meri, my dear friend, is her gentleness and that iconic “giggle” that just left you feeling peaceful and inspired. Her giggle made all situations brighter and all stories funnier. Meri created a sanctuary of goodness during her time at Crestwood School. She certainly was . . . a “Crestwood Star.” Your wife, mother and grandmother will be forever loved. I thank God that He allowed me to have but a short opening in life to enjoy and be inspired by His “Good and Faithful Servant,” Meri.

My deepest sympathy Rick & family. Meri was a person that always made people feel welcome and that they mattered. She will be missed by many. I was unable to make it to the funeral service but will try to watch it online. Hugs and prayers to all of you - - cherish your memories.