Martha Josef (Strijckmans) Vandegaer

Martha Vandegaer, beloved wife of Jan E. Vandegaer, passed away peacefully at her home in Pasadena, Maryland on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.  

Martha is survived by her husband of 70 years Jan Vandegaer, her son, Koenraad "Konrad" Vandegaer, her daughters Machteld "Micky" Vandegaer Thomas (Glen Thomas), Frieda Vandegaer (Tom Cannon) and Ingrid Vandegaer (Walter Croom). She will be missed by her six loving grandchildren, Erika Thomas, Paul Cannon (Judy), Marc Cannon (Elizabeth Conroy), Glen Bradley Thomas (Amelia Hadler), Kristen Stetter and Kelly Stetter and six beloved great grandchildren. 

Martha was born in Tienen, Belgium to the late Maria and Simon Strijckmans. Martha is also survived by her sister Annemieke Vandendael of Belgium. 

Martha became a citizen of the United States of America in May 1961. She enjoyed traveling with her husband over the years, RVing across her adopted country. 

Martha was an avid tennis player, seamstress and artist. She enjoyed going to the Pasadena Senior Center to take full advantage of their exercise classes and other programs. Above all, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. 

Martha retired from North Arundel Hospital where she started as a volunteer in the Emergency Room, and ended her career as a Physical Therapy Aide. 

A service in memory of Martha J. Vandegaer will be scheduled at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels (click HERE) 515 South Haven Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 where Martha was an honored volunteer or to Bello Machre (click HERE) 7765 Freetown Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060.