Mariette Van Den Munckhof-Vedder

Maria Van Den Munckhof-Vedder, "Mariette", was born on February 6, 1951, as the 2nd child of Grada Van den Munckhof–Kurvers and Piet Van den Munckhof in Horst aan de Maas, Limburg, the Netherlands. Those post WWII years were rather sober and without many toys or frills Mariette and her siblings learned to share and reuse what they had with each other. Their father was able to fence in the yard creating a playground for his children, in fact, for all the children in the neighborhood. Mariette died at home peacefully in the early morning hours of December 19, 2024.

Fr. John Stephen Ariko, AJ will officiate at Mariette's funeral mass, Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. in McRae, Georgia at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 17 Telfair Avenue, McRae, Georgia 31055. No flowers please instead make a donation to your favorite charity.

Mariette was blessed to have parents who early on instilled a strong belief in their Catholic religion but also an understanding and respect for nature and the world around her. All the children were required to help, especially in the greenhouses and in the fields as her parents were Market Gardeners.

From her youth Mariette had a natural understanding of mathematics, algebra and accounting, but in the 1970s her father would not allow her to pursue a university degree. Mariette was needed at home helping the family and the household of nine, but what she learned in primary education laid a solid foundation for her future.

Mariette remained diligent, working her way through and paying for her own education. Mariette was finally able to pursue a degree in fashion design and used her training to not only make her own clothes, but those of her mother and two sisters. When she had obtained her diploma from the technical school she proudly displayed it to her then boss, Pieter J.C. Vedder. Dr. Vedder had founded the first and only practical training college for mushroom growing and it was at this college where Mariette used her natural skills and training to help provide a future for herself and her soon to be spouse.

In August, 1983 Dr. Vedder asked two things of Mariette, first, be my wife and second immigrate with him to the United States. Mariette did not have to ponder the decision longer than the time it took to get a passport and from that time on Peggy March's "I Will Follow Him" became Mariette's lifetime love song.

As the Vedders traveled the world, working with people and teaching them to do a better job was reward in and of itself. Their years in Indonesia allowed them to foster their adopted daughter, Anita. Mariette was able to compose Dr. Vedder's masterpiece on Mushrooms in 2020. It has become the worldwide "go to" reference book of the fascinating fungi. When asked, Mariette commented "Sharing the riches of our knowledge (Pieter's and mine) rather than detracting has made us both so much richer inside"

Faith was the foundation of Mariette's long life and it has carried her though many hardships. She rode life's highs and lows like it was a roller coaster with health issues and the aftermath the crippling bicycle accident in February, 2023 from which she never recovered. Most devasting of all was the passing of her beloved Pieter in 2024, a day after his 95th birthday. After Pieter's death, Mariette knew she must not look inward, knowing that her life still had meaning!

Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.