Mary-Anne (Van Der Heyden) Friday

Mary-Anne Friday was born in Zwolle, Netherlands on August 17, 1945 to John (Johannes Joseph) and Ann (Johanna Maria) Van Der Heyden. She was one of four children born to John and Ann with Frans, Peter, and Jose. In 1953 they immigrated to Canada, coming to Rosetown, SK first, then Craik, SK and finally settling in Maple Creek, SK.

Mary-Anne fell in love and married the love of her life Edward (Ted) Friday on October 21, 1963 at the Saint Mary the Virgin Anglican Church. They started from humble beginnings and purchased the original homestead in 1965 along the Gap Creek; this was their paradise.

Mary-Anne was a great cook, having her own catering business and recruiting help from Ted and others, she ran her own custom baling business, working long days and nights, she did book-keeping for many businesses, worked at the Saan Store, Maple Creek Auction Ring and the Bank of Montreal. She was very involved with the St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church as Treasurer, Vestry, Alter Guild, Lay Service Reader and Leader. She also taught Sunday school and was a leader for Juniors. Mary-Anne had a special love for all children

She was passionate about capturing the beauty of God’s Creation which started with taking pictures of flowers, animals, landscapes and Ted on their ranch. She photographed weddings and family gatherings over the years for many. A camera case was never far, filled with different lenses and filters for the best photograph. As time went on her phone became her camera and she loved sharing her photos on Facebook with all her friends and family.

Mary-Anne moved to town in November of 2019 after Ted’s passing, leaving the ranch in the trusted and loving hands of Kory and Kathy. She was awarded Citizen of the Year for her generosity of time and caring.

She was blessed with a wonderful companionship with Clifford Jacksteit, enjoying site-seeing, singing and visiting family. They had a special bond and their time together was very special to her, ending too soon with Clifford’s passing.

Mary-Anne loved to travel especially back to the Netherlands to visit, family and friends. She loved to share her stories and pictures of her homeland with all us in Canada.

Mary-Anne touched the lives of many people with her generosity of time, love and genuine curiosity of getting to know those she interacted with.

Mary-Anne is survived by her brother Frans van der Heyden (Judy), sisters-in-law Arlene van der Heyden and family, Gwen Stanko and family, Margaret Geiger and family, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, great and great-great nieces and nephews, her church family and friends in Canada and the Netherlands.

Mary-Anne is predeceased by her parents Johannes Joseph (John) and Johanna Maria (Ann) van der Heyden, her in-laws James and Elsie Friday, her brother Peter van der Heyden, her sister Josepha (Jose) Squire, her brothers-in-law Stewart Squire, Dick Friday, Phillip Stanko, and Douglas East.

All those who loved her are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Saturday May 30th, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Saint Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, 302 Jasper St, Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0 with a tea to follow in the Parish Hall (Please bring lawn chairs for sitting outside for the tea, weather permitting.) Interment at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary-Anne (Van Der Heyden) Friday, please visit our floral store.