October 17, 1940 - December 3, 2020
"My task in this world is done." Magriet Mayer spoke these words two days before she passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on December 3, 2020. Magriet, a beautiful, strong woman, warm, empathetic and caring. These are just a few of the characteristics that made her so loved.
She was born on October 17, 1940, in Berkel en Rodenrijs near Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where she attended college. Magriet soon decided to go abroad to work as an au-pair in England. She chose a career in healthcare and first worked as a nurse in hospitals in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
After a friend told her about great opportunities in Canada, Magriet left for Canada in 1967 and found a home in Nanaimo. Further training made it possible to work as an operating room nurse. She worked at Nanaimo General Hospital until her retirement in 2004.
In the meantime, Magriet met her husband Manfred Mayer, whom she married in 1970. Together with Manfred - who passed away in 2010 - she built the house on Maxey Road, where she lived until her death. Very important to Magriet were her German Shepherds. She survived five of them.
During the time she lived in Nanaimo, Magriet took on many new challenges, which she tackled and practiced with gusto with Manfred and friends. She loved exploring the great outdoors in BC and Vancouver Island and enjoyed skiing, kayaking, canoeing and dragon boat racing. Magriet was a respected and avid member of the Mentor Mariners dragon boat team.
She did her share of volunteer work for different organizations, including the Salvation Army, and participated in Christmas toy drives. After retirement, she was active at the hospital thrift store until last year.
She was responsible for the jewelry, which was not surprising, with Manfred, owner of Mayer Jewelers, as her mentor. She was also a real globetrotter and enjoyed many travel adventures.
So "my task in this world is done" has a broad meaning in Magriet's case, not only because of what she did but even more because of who she was. Magriet was important to many, she loved many and was loved by many. She will be missed by her brothers Niek and Dick, family members and many friends across the world and in Nanaimo.
The celebration of Magriet's life will eventually take place depending on Covid 19 developments.