Maria L. van der Leek, of Inverness, passed away on her 95th birthday, in Citrus Health and Rehab Center, Inverness.
She was born May 28, 1927, and educated in Germany to the late Malte L. von Putbus and Mira von Plotz.
Maria, married her husband Theodorus van der Leek, November 18, 1960, in Washington, DC. She was employed by the German Embassy in Washington. She and her husband were one of 12 immigrants, whom were invited to the White House, and received their naturalization oath in the Oval Office, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. She has been a resident of Inverness since 1987, previously residing in Forestville, MD, and previously resided in Washington, DC. Maria was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to take care of her family; she was a Master Gardner, played the button harmonica every year, for many years at the Citrus County Fair. Maria also loved to bake, for family and friends. She was Lutheran by Faith, and was a very generous, thoughtful, and caring person. She was a survivor. She survived WWII. Loved her cats, especially Bebela, who predeceased her.
Her parents Malte L. and Mira von Putbus predeceased her along with her husband Theodorus van der Leek.
Left to cherish her memory are her children; Andrea Maria Oswald (Buck) and Chris van der Leek (Kelly), grandchildren; Amy, Corey, Ashlie, Kyrie, Akira, and CJ. Great grandchildren; Clyde, Ava, Bently, and RJ.
Family and friends are invited to her Celebration of Life Monday May 30, 2022, 3pm in Chas E. Davis Funeral Home 3075 S. Florida Ave Inverness. Pastor Tom Beaverson, from First Lutheran Church of Inverness, will officiate. Visitation from 2pm until time of service.
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