Mom, Oma, Mayke has been and will be
profoundly missed. But we are thankful that she
has now reached a peaceful place, free from
the debilitating disease of dementia. She was
a loving, amazing mother, oma, aunt and friend.
We have been so fortunate to have had her in our
lives for all these years.
Mayke was a joyful, smart, active woman who
loved her family and friends. She was an active
sportswoman from the time of her teenage years
to her 80s when she won swimming awards.
She even sang in a band and modelled in her
younger years! Marrying the love of her life, Len, she embraced Len’s
wanderlust and followed him from the Netherlands to Canada and then
from one end of Canada to the other.....and then to remote parts of the
world. She finally put her foot down and insisted that they at least keep
their home base of St. Albert after moving there in 1969. She was an
early member of the St. Albert potter’s guild, an active volunteer with
the St. Albert Parish, Arden Theatre, Meals on Wheels and other groups,
and was awarded the Lt. Governor’s medal for her volunteer work. After
Len’s death in 1995, her wonderful friends and family and volunteer work
sustained her through that devastating loss. She will now know the joy of
being with the love of her life again.
She leaves one sister, Annie (Weil); six children, Ruby (Dennis),
Michael (Winn), Yvonne (Don), Peter, Ernie (Janet) and Yessy; as well as
12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 6 nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by Ernie and thankfully never knew that.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday,
December 12, 2024 in St. Albert Catholic Church. Interment to follow
in the St. Albert Catholic Church Cemetery.
No flowers please. Should you wish, donations to the Edmonton
Community Foundation, The Len and Mayke Byl Fund, or to the Alzheimer
Society of Alberta would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Connelly-McKinley St. Albert Funeral Home.
To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
(780) 458-2222
