Ria Margaret Boland
Ria Margaret Boland (nee Bovenkerk), passed away on March 9, 2017 in Edmonton, Alberta, after her long battle with cancer.
She is survived by her partner Julian Saluk, her daughter Barbara Akkerman (Maud Meunier), son Brian Akkerman (Shannon) their 3 children, Aurelia, Zyla and Taizen. She is also survived by Julian's daughter Patti (Marc Dabbs). Predeceased by her father Alexander Johannes Bovenkerk, survived by her mother Winifred Bovenkerk-Floris, brothers Eric, Richard (Ans), predeceased brother Roy and surviving wife Ingrid, sisters Tilly Kohlbrugge, Amy Drijssen(Harry), 10 nieces and nephews.
Ria, born in Palembang, Indonesia on July 4th, 1949, grew up in the Netherlands after her parents left Indonesia in 1950. She emigrated to Canada in 1988 with her two children Barbara and Brian.
With her loving partner Julian by her side, on November 9, 2016, she fully committed to becoming a proud Canadian and took the oath of citizenship
Ria was a passionate and proud beautician/esthetician, and she always 'looked the part', even as cancer struck Ria for the first time in 2000, at the age of 50.
She battled and beat this disease twice over the years. She never complained, she was always positive, and is an example of strength and courage to all the people whose lives she touched.
Planning short term goals and finding new love with Julian, together with her love for this beautiful life, gave her strength and helped her beat cancer twice.
Ria absolutely loved to dance and she wore her dancing shoes out, and down, any time she was able to and this continued throughout her courageous battle over the last 17 years. She never gave up fighting, or dancing, right to the end.
Ria was an extremely loving, warm, passionate and gentle lady who touched the lives of all she met along her way.
She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.
Celebration of Life
2:00PM Saturday March 18th, 2017
Trinity Funeral Chapel
10530-116 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
Memorial Donations
Cross Cancer Society
Mijn allerliefste schoonzus. Enige wat ik nog had vd familie na het overlijden van Roy. Wat zal ik onze fijne gesprekken missen!!! Jij bent nu zonder pijn en wij zullen verder gaan maar wel met jou in ons hart. Bedankt voor alle mooie en gezellige momenten/herinneringen lieverd ❤ Rust zacht.
Lieve Ria rust zacht. Je was altijd zo lief en gezellig. Opa Beer was ook zo gek op jou. Zo spijtig dat het allemaal zo moest gaan. Dag lieverd xx
Wonderful story about a beautiful life. I sure appreciate the courage displayed throughout her battle with this terrible disease. My condolences to the family and friends of Ria.
Ria was one very special lady, she is greatly missed.
Our condolences to Julian and Ria’s family.
Wilma Botha
Classy 50’s Club
We know that what your going through right now is very difficult, just know that we are here for you. We feel for your loss, our most sincere condolences.
Rest In Peace, Dear Ria.
Lieve familie van Ria,
Gecondoleerd met het verlies van lieve Ria. Het is niet eerlijk dat dit zo moet gaan.. wij wensen jullie heel veel sterkte en kracht toe! Mij geeft het kracht te weten dat papa nu samen met Ria is, ik hoop dat het jullie ook kracht geeft!
Lots of love, Melanie en Jimmy
I am so sorry for your loss and offer my sincerest condolences
Ria was an extraordinary woman ! She was filled with grace. trust gratitude and love ! She was indeed a beacon of goodness ! I will miss her inspiring entries on Facebook ! She was and is an enormous Spirit. *****
I am so very sorry for your loss and wishing you all my deepest condolences. From the little I got to know of Ria I could tell what a sweet and genuine person she was and I hope she was made comfortable during her last days. I will always remember the way she would just light up when any of her family or friends came to visit. It seemed like she was truly loved. I hope knowing that she is no longer suffering offers you some comfort during this difficult time. Of all the things cancer can take away, it cannot take away the memory of a beautiful person.
Gecondoleerd en heel veel sterkte! Rust zacht lieve tante Ria.
Liefs,
Jeffrey, Esther, Joey Bovenkerk
Sincere condolences to Julian and Ria’s extended family. I met Ria many years ago at a dance.
Ria was always upbeat and looked amazing. She will be missed. RIP!
Jan Miller
Those we love don’t go away,
they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
still loved, still missed and very dear <3
Roy will take good care of you dear auntie.
We wish you all a lot of strenght.
Lots of love,
Kim & Robin
I was so sad to hear Ria had lost her battle. My condolences to her family – Ria will be missed.
Dear auntie, I will miss your optimism about anything. You made me smile with your concern about me and my crazy kids, but you were also very proud of us. And I was so proud of you…an example of how I see a beautiful woman fighting for her goals in life until the end. Unfortunately that end came too soon. I know that you loved life to the max but I’m sure you will make it a great party up in heaven with your loved ones over there. Well powerwoman, a billion kisses and hugs from Laura and the Daltons❤
Dear auntie, I will miss your optimism about anything. You made me smile with your concern about me and my crazy kids, but you were also very proud of us. And I was so proud of you…an example of how I see a beautiful woman fighting for her goals in life until the end. Unfortunately that end came too soon. I know that you loved life to the max but I’m sure you will have a beautiful rendez-vous up in heaven with your loved ones over there.
My condolences for everyone who knew my aunt Ria.
I will forever treasure the friendship I had with Ria – beautiful inside and out. You captured her beautifully in the story of her life. Ken and I both send our deepest condolences to Julian and family. Sending huge hugs to you Ria – R.I.P. ??
Rest in peace Ria,You will be missed very much. Our condolences to Julian
and family.
Lieve Ria ik heb jou bewonderd om jouw enorme levenslust. Ondanks alle pijn en ongemakken haalde je alles uit het leven wat mooi was. Heel veel sterkte wens ik jouw man, kinderen en familie in Nederland. Er blijft een mooie herinnering voor ons achter van een charmante dame. Rust zacht meis. Myra
Ria was a kind and gentle lady. My condolences to Julian and her family … She will be missed.
Lieve mooie sterke Ria,
Verweg en dichtbij
Vroeger en later
Herinnering voor altijd
Ik zal je missen
Rein
Sincere condolences to Julian and Ria’s extended family.
We met Ria many years ago at the German Club celebrating a Christmas Dinner and Dance party.
Ria was such a strong person I always have looked up to her she was a fighter.
I really will missed her as a great friend. R.I.P. Ria❤️
Dear sister of mine
Hope you have found peace now
It was not right to suffer that long
You will be so missed .
I hope Barbara and Brian will find their way without you being there
All the best my strong sister, wherever you are!
Ria was a beautiful lady inside and out. My sincere condolences to Julian, Barbara and Brian and families. Much love,Corinne
R.I.P. Ria, you were a wonderful friend to Aunt Rae and my Mom and many other family members! I know you and Rae will be peacefully dancing together again. My deepest condolences to Julian and the rest of your family!!
xxxx
Deepest condolences Julian and Ria’s family. Ria was a beautiful lady inside and out and a great dancer too. She will be missed. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Philip and Marie
She was a funny and friendly sweetheart who always looked like she stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine! I will never forget beautiful Ria. She was there for so many of our family gatherings and we shared a lot of laughs, songs, tears and hugs over the years.
Heartfelt condolences from our family to yours. – Deb
Ria could find the best in anyone, and was always a beautiful shining light through the years I have known her and all of the trials she endured. Her grace and kindness lives on in her children and grandchildren. Love and support to Bee and Brian. Thank you so much for arranging this service and gathering. Peace and love be with you.
Sincere condolences to Julian and to Ria’s family.
Rest in peace dear niece.
Sylia Harten
No matter how old we grow
losing a mother
is one of the deepest sorrows
a heart can know
But her Goodness, her Caring, and her Wisdom will live on,
like a Legacy of Love that will always be with you.
And just as she comforted you,
may her memory of her Love surround you now and bring peace
With Sympathy
Andrew Fraser
Julian, so very sorry to hear about Ria’s passing. She was a lovely woman who will be missed by all that knew her.