At her home in Ada, Oklahoma on July 27, 2024 at the age of 56. Maria is the beloved daughter of John and Anne (Damen) Van Sas of Lucan. Loved sister of Frank Van Sas of Goderich. Dear niece of the late John and Sadie Damen, Bert and the late Jeannine Damen, the late Tony and Carole Damen, Bill Jr. and Judy Damen, Harry and Sheila Damen and Mary and Doug Lee, Louie and Dorothy Van Sas, the late Stan and Clara Van Sas, the late Alfonse Van Sas and Jean Bork, Anna and the late Louie Van Bommel, Louise and the late George Wynacker, Julia and Paul Van Hoof, Cathy and the late John Monden, the late Gerard and Elaine Van Sas, the late Ivonne and the late Martin Koolen, and Caroline and Nick Koolen. Maria is also fondly remembered by her many cousins.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, LUCAN on Tuesday evening from 6 – 8 PM.
Maria’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 32922 Richmond Street, LUCAN on Wednesday, August 21st at 11 AM. Cremation with interment St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Stream the service live or at your convenience by visiting www.facebook.com/haskettfh
If desired, donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Leacia Wright
My sweet Friend Maria, oh how you will be missed. I will miss our talks and our nights practicing , our Friday Evening get togethers after practice and my behind the plate gal. My heart just sank when I heard the news. Not gonna say, Goodbye. Just leave it at, I’ll see you again My Friend.
My Thoughts & Prayers go out to Maria’s Family & Loved Ones. 🫶🙏🫶
Paul & Mary Lou Malone
Anne & John
We are so sorry for your loss of Maria
A beautiful funny lady and a good baby sitter many years ago
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Bert Timmermans
John and Anne. We are so sorry to hear the sad news about the loss of Maria. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, God be with you through this terrible loss
Tera Timmermans and family
Daphne Damen
Uncle John, Aunt Anne and Frankie;
Maria was proud, brave and so beautiful.
Sending love to wrap you in this sad time from across the miles.
Love Daphne Damen
Joan & Bob Finkbeiner
John And Anne We are sorry to hear of the loss of Maria. She was a girl of love and Laughter. And she loved life. She will always bewith you in your heart and memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you . God Bless
Tammi Upton
Fly High Our Forever Cowgirl ❤️
I have been friends with Maria for 40+ years bonding over our love of horses , fast cars & having a whole lot of fun back in the day! While our lives took a different path when you moved to Oklahoma ~ we still stayed in touch. I’ll always admire your bravery and determination to walk your own path and continue with your passion. We are so going to miss your larger than life presence (even tho you were short 😉) and how you could light up a room with your energy.
Our deepest condolences to your family & friends … May you find your strength and peace in those around you
Love Tammi , Jenna & Jamie Upton
Murray and Edith Yeo
To the Damen Family
We are very sorry to read of your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you all. May your wonderful memories help you through this.
Paul and Sue Robinson
Dear John and Ann, the entire Van Sas family and all the Damen family. We are so very sorry to hear about Maria’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincere condolences Paul and Sue Robinson
Baili
My MARIA! ❤️ I love you girl! Since I was little you made a huge impression on my life! You were like an aunt to me! So MANY amazing memories with you made in Ohio & Oklahoma! You introduced me to George Jones & we sang White Lightening driving around in your truck with your foot propped out the window. My Mom misses you! She loved you SO MUCH! Until we meet again I hope you are riding barrel horses in heaven 🙏🏼
Terri Brown
Mr & Mrs Van Sas and family. My Sincere Condolences. Maria was a sister to me and an Aunt to my daughter Baili and part of our family . I’m glad we got to share growing up in our 20’s together all the trips and miles from Canada to Ohio. I’m thankful I got to see her few times in Oklahoma and at the Quarter Horse Congress over the years. But most importantly to fly out and stay with her for a short week in Oklahoma. She knew how to bring out the best in every situation!! She was Larger than Life!!! I’m gonna miss her more then You can imagine!!! Many prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
Luci Murray
Sending our deepest condolences on this very sad occasion.
Death leaves a heartache that can never be healed but the love that you shared with Maria leaves memories that will always be there to help comfort you.
May the good memories help you through this difficult time.
Anne, John and Frank you are in our prayers.
Luci & Ron
Frances Millson
Sorry for your loss Aunt Anne, Uncle John, and Frank Maria is in our thoughts and prayers.
Bobbie Vens
John Anne ,Frank and family. Our deepest condolences for you all at this sad time. Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers . Gentle hugs
Jerry and Bobbie Vens
Linda Salts
Anne, John and family,
We are so sorry for your loss and keep you in our thoughts.
Rob and Linda Salts
Rosemary (Martens) Pols
My thoughts and prayers are with you John, Anne and Frank. Such a difficult time for you
Patrick & Yvonne Custy
John and Anne VanSas
Sending condolences for your sad loss.
Nancy Nicholson
Condolences to the family and friends of Maria. I knew her through the Ontario Rodeo Association and kept in touch on Facebook. She will be missed.
Rita LeBlanc (Tony)
Dear John, Anne and Frank,
So very sorry to hear of the loss of Maria. Loving thoughts to you all.
Ellen Caines
Ms Anne, John and of course Frankie,
I just found out of Maria’s passing. Shocked is not the word for it. Although we have lost contact over the past several years, we sure made some good memories together. The best making the trip to Canada for the wedding celebration up there. I am totally taken aback by this news. May God be with you and comfort you and know Maria loved y’all so much. I will keep you in my prayers. If there is anything that I can help with from Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to contact me. Love and hugs!
Harry & Anne Giesen
Annie, John & Family:
We are deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter, Maria. Know that our prayers and love are with you.
Harry & Anne Giesen
Michelle Leckie
John,Anne & Frankie I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I was truly blessed to know Maria n I have so many wonderful memories growing up,together. She sure was a beautiful person, inside & out. Maria will be missed greatly & will always be in our hearts. Love you, Maria. 💔
Clara Wortner ( VanSas)
Maria was a spirted women who charted her on coarse in life. Her determination and her courage fulfilled her hopes and dreams Maria will be sadly missed by many who were touched by her spirited presence John, Anne and Frank hold the good memories of Maria in your heart and she will be there with you always
Carla Hunt (McAdam)
John, Anne and Frank, so very sorry Maria has passed. Remember her from those formative St. Pat’s & Medway years. Her lovely bright smile and love of horses. Thinking of you all at this terrible time.
Gerda Wynacker
My deepest condolences for Auntie Anne and Uncle John Frankie and the entire Van Sas family for the loss of Maria
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Rest In Peace Maria
Gerda
John and Mary Michiels
Annie John and Frank. So very sorry to hear of Maria’s passing. May your love and wonderful memories see you through this difficult time. Love and prayers.
Bonnie Manders
Sorry to hear of Maria’s passing. My sincere sympathy to her family. My thoughts are with.
Jim and Marion Blake
John and Anne,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Maria. We recall you often speaking of your trips to Oklahoma to have a visit with her. Treasure the memories of the times shared with her.
Thinking of you during these difficult days,
Jim and Marion
Suzanne Depadro
I am so sorry for your precious loss 🙏🏻May you be blessed with peace and graceful healing ❤️🩹 Jesus come into my heart ♥️ Holy Spirit fill me 💦Father thank you for saving me 🙏🏻❤️
Molly Tinney
I’m sorry for your loss of such a wonderful lady and friend. I knew her through showing paint horses.
Joe & Mary Verhallen
John, Anne & Frank
So sorry to hear of Maria’s passing, our thoughts are with you all
Donna Rae Mize
Many prayers to the family at this time. Maria and I were friends for over 44 years. We did so many things together. She will be greatly missed. My you fly high cowgirl until we meet again.
Scott and Arlene Thomson
So sorry to hear of her passing.
Gerard Schmidt
John,Ann and Frank. I send my heartfelt condolences to you at this sad time. May she rest in peace.
Beth O'Shea (Charlie)
My sympathy to John, Anne, Frank VanSas, the Damen and VanSas families. So sorry to hear about Maria’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Clare & Brenda Martene
Dear: Anne, John, Frank & Extended Family / Friends . . .
There are no words that can express the sadness in the death of your beautiful daughter, Maria taken at such a young age. Keep your precious memories of happy times close to bring you comfort in the very difficult days ahead.
❤️ “Don’t cry because I’m gone; Smile brightly because I lived.” ❤️
You are all in our thoughts & prayers. 🙏💕
Clare & Brenda Martene
Terry vanarenthals and janet vanderloo
So sorry to hear of her passing. In my prayers.
Mark Storey
John, Anne and Frank so sorry to hear of Maria’s passing. She is in Gods hands now.
Jan ( Middleditch ) Dake
My very sincere condolences to all her family and friends. Am very saddened by her loss.
We rodeo’d and did horse shows together in the 80s in Ontario and met up again when I moved to Oklahoma .. and Donna Rae kept me in the loop . Wish I had lived closer to her. She was a bright light always , , fast cars and fast horses . .
RIP Cowgirl Fly high
Kari Martene
We are so sorry to hear that your beloved daughter was taken from this world too soon and so sudden. May you find comfort in Jesus’ embrace and know that he has her in his arms.
Much love
Kari Martene & Joe Ryan
Cyrille Hartman
John, Anne & Frank
So sorry to hear about Maria passing. Our prayers are with you at this sad time 🙏
Cyrille & Anne
Judy Finch
John and Ann,
I am so sorry for your loss. To lose your beautiful daughter so young is heartbreaking. When you remember Maria you think of horses, her beautiful smile and zest for life, so fearless. Frank I am so sorry that you have lost your sister and I pray for healing for you and the family.
GREGORY NEWMAN
I would like to give my condolences to Marie’s family and friends..She was great driving around Lucan in her mustang. She lived her life to the fullest .She was a Haloe .Iam glad she was a part of my younger life in Lucan.
Cathy Monden
sorry for your loss
Debbie Soetemans
Rip Maria. Sending big hugs to aunt Anne and uncle John and Frank. 🌹💔
Evans
Such a beautiful woman.
Sending our condolences to you and your family.
Sue Kinsella
So very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. She will be missed.
Julie Forrest
So sorry for your loss John and Anne, Maria always had such a bubbly personality and great smile!
Gerda and Jim Hunter
John, Anne, Frank and family,
So sorry to hear of Maria’s passing. It’s such terrible loss at such a young age. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gerda and Jim Hunter
Laurie
My Condolences John, Anne and Frank.
So sorry to hear. Maria was always a good friend all these years.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Laurie McLeod
Hans 7 Corinne Rosch
Please accept our sincerest condolences at the passing of your daughter Maria. She was a good friend
of our children Marcel, Rachel and Frank. We will remember her in our prayers.
w
Bertina Manders
Our deepest condolences go out to Aunt Anne, Uncle John and Frank from our entire family. Maria was one of my best friends growing up and a woman I admired when we actually were grown up. All my love, hugs and prayers.
Nelson and Kathy Bilyea
John, Anne and Frank
We are so sorry to hear about Maria, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Maria was such a jovial and up beat person. She will sadly be missed. Our condolences.
Nelson and Kathy Bilyea
Anne Stroud
So sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts are with all her family.
She was always a joy and so glad to visit anytime we saw each other at horse shows, rodeos etc over many years. ❤️
regina l jesz
Oh Maria,
I will miss u u we’re such a good friend u and donna while my short time in ok. I got to know u both, so well. You were such a free spirit knowing u are gone breaks my heart. U were there for me when I needed someone . I can’t believe ur gone fly high my friend my thoughts and prayers to the family I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person. You will be missed
Terri McRoberts
Couldn’t believe this when I read it. re-connected with Maria on Facebook after going to public school together over 45 years ago. that sass,and that infectious smile. gone too soon…
Kelly
I am so sorry for your loss.maria was great friend and horse person she will sadly be miss
Diane Elston
John, Ann and Frank,
On behalf of John, Marie Martens and myself, our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss off your daughter. Keep your good memories of happy times close to bring you comfort in these difficult days. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane Martens Elston
Jymmy5469
Uncle John Aunt Ann and Frank.
Really don’t know what to say?
So sorry!
Tammi Upton
We will so miss your passion for life; and that beautiful sassiness that came from living your life the way you wanted & believing in things with your whole
heart . We were friends for almost 40 years meeting at some small town horse show and then staying in touch. No one could get from Okla. to Ontario in record time like you ❤️ Forever our cowgirl . The world is shining less bright without you beautiful. Sending our deepest condolences to your family & friends 🙏
Janice
My deepest sympathies to the Van Sas family.
I was in disbelief when I heard the sad news. How can she be gone? Maria, with the pretty face and beautiful smile.
She was feisty and fearless. Into everything and up for anything. Jumping in to help anyone in a jam.
Maria was a real character and I have so many stories about our time together in younger years. Although I considered Maria one of my closest friends, she was always surprising me with how many people she knew and different things she was involved with.
She always made me laugh and I’m thankful for all the great memories
RIP Mir
Love you ❤️
Angela Cottrell
I am so sorry to hear of Maria’s passing.She was always a good friend to me.She will be greatly missed.My prayers go out to all her family and friends.
Cathy smeenk-cofell
so sorry to hear about maria.my condolences to the family.
Dan Mirza
I am so very sorry for your loss…I hope you find some comfort…….in her amazing smile, and good nature……she left us too early
Anne Giesen and Family
Anne, John, Frank and Family. There are no words that can express the sadness in the death of someone so young. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult time.
Teresa & Jeff Young
John and Annie: please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family at this difficult time. May Maria rest in peace.
Joan &Bob Finkbeiner
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time . God Bless
Stephanie Gaspari
John, Anne and Frank,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of such a bright light. Maria holds a special place in my heart and will be missed greatly and remembered fondly. May she rest easy.
Stephanie (Hayter) Gaspari
Tonya
Mr. and Mrs. Van Sas, Frank and families,
I am so sorry to hear the devastating news. Maria loved her family, friends, her horses and dogs. So many great memories; Maria barrel-racing at fairs and rodeos, road trips, Billy Idol tunes, her Southern twang, impressive belt buckles, her love of Jags, and of course, some Patron.
Golly Mir, Janice and I sure will miss you. ❤️
Jackie Arnold and Ken Whiting
John, Anne and Frankie
I’m so sorry to hear about Maria. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Cherish her memories. I remember going to your house and hanging out with her and Frankie. Gone way too soon. Sending hugs your way.💕💕
Sandra Peck
I am so very sorry to hear about Maria’s passing. I remember her well from our horse showing days. I am thinking of her family.
Ron and Pat Cottrell
So sorry to hear about Maria’s passing. Maria always made a point of visiting us when she came home and reminiscing, always check your drive way when going by to see if she is home, such a lovely person.R.I.P Maria. Ron and Pat Cottrell
Shirley Lyons
John, Anne & Frank:
So sorry to hear of Maria’s sudden passing. As neighnours on Hwy 23 I remember that she loved horses.
May she rest in peace.
CINDY HAYES
My heartfelt condolences to the family RIP Maria. you are going to be missed.
Jackie Arnold and Ken Whiting
John Anne, Frankie
I’m so sorry to hear about Maria. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time . Sending hugs your way. Cherish her memories.
Julia & Paul Van Hoof
We are heartbroken to hear of Maria’s passing. Our deepest condolences go out to John, Anne, and Frank at this devastating time. Maria was a kind, loving, and incredible woman who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Rest in peace Maria.
Julia & Paul Van Hoof, and Family
JoAnn Hayter and family
So sorry for your loss
Debby
John and Anne and Frank. We are so sorry to hear about Maria. Our thoughts are with you all
Debby and Bert Timmermans
Helen (Timmermans) MacEvoy
Anne and John.
My heart goes out to you in your time of loss. I remember having the joy and privilege of babysitting Maria and Frank when they were young. Maria was a lovely child and no doubt wonderful as a grown woman. May she rest in peace.