Miep was born on the Valentijnkade in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Valentine’s Day in 1931 to Marie (nee Otter) and Louis Spiegelberg. Depression years followed by the horrors of World War II in Amsterdam made for a difficult start to life for Miep, but in the late 1940s she met and fell in love with Lucas Vree and they got married on July 6, 1950. A busy life and 4 children followed. In 1976 Miep and Luc moved to Canada with their two youngest children and settled in London, Ontario. It was an exciting time of new adventures. Luc’s early death in 1983 forced Miep to forge her own path, and that she did; learning to drive at 55, proudly paying off her mortgage in just 9 years, taking many wonderful vacations throughout Europe and North America before finally moving to Bradford, Ontario to be closer to her daughter’s family and her two granddaughters. She lived the last 8 years of her life in Garden House at Bradford Valley Care Community where she passed away peacefully after a short illness. Miep loved sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting and reading.
Miep was lost to Alzheimer’s many years ago, for her family left behind, those stolen years are their biggest heartbreak. Miep was also a 23-year survivor of breast cancer. Her family would like to thank the staff at Bradford Valley for their thoughtful and loving care of “Maria”, especially in her last few months.
Miep is survived by her sons Ruud (Ellen) of the Netherlands/Greece, Martin (Phyllis) of Nova Scotia, Thomas of Hamilton and Laura (Shawn Wilcox) of Bradford as well as her granddaughters Josie (Austin) and Annie. Adam (Monika) Harte-Maxwell, Chloe and Alice, Lisa (Andrew) Rankin, Liam, Bennett and Imogen. Nephews, nieces and extended family in the Netherlands.
If you are so inclined, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada in Miep’s name would be appreciated.
Cremation has taken place. Miep’s family would like to invite friends and family to drop in for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, May 6th from 1 to 4 pm, at her daughter’s home, 11 Metcalfe Drive, Bradford.