Mae Harriet Rooy

Memorial for Mae Rooy (Van Dyk)

Mae Harriet Rooy passed away at the age of 96 at the Orange Park Hospital, Florida. She was born to Mace Van Dyk and Sadie Pousma in North Haledon, New Jersey on November 1, 1928. She attended Eastern Christian Schools prior to going to Calvin College where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. During her time there she met her future husband, a farmer from Iowa. In 1951 she married Sidney H. Rooy, who became a pastor a few years later. They served 8 years at the Midland Park Christian Reformed Church. In 1961 they moved with their four children to the Netherlands. Mae taught several years in the international school in Dordrecht, while her husband Sid completed his doctoral studies at the Free University of Amsterdam. During that time, they suffered the loss of their 8-year-old son, David caused by encephalitis.

They then served as missionaries in Argentina from 1965-1991. Mae served on various committees during that time, such as on her church council at the church in Buenos Aires, on several ecumenical ladies associations, and she was the representative of the Reformed church on the interdenominational mission board for the Toba Indians. At home, Mae served as a welcoming hostess to the many people who came to the capital city, providing meals, beds and advice as needed.

Upon retirement, Mae moved with Sid to Costa Rica, where they lived for 10 years of ministry. While there, Mae taught music classes in the small Christian school in San Jose and also gave individual music lessons to aspiring young people.

Since 2001, Mae and Sid made their home at Penney Retirement Community in Florida. During those years they lost their son Paul in a plane accident. Mae continued using her God-given gifts as she volunteered weekly helping kids read at the Green Cove Springs Elementary School. She used her Spanish skills by writing letters and correcting Bible lessons as part of Crossroads Prison Ministry. As a resident at PRC, she participated fully in the life of the community. Over the almost 25 last years of her life here, her activities included: playing piano weekly at the Pavilion and for Communion services at Penmor, taking a course in pastoral care, serving as secretary for the Residents Aid Committee, singing in the choir, leading “Moving with Mae” exercises, and serving numerous meals to residents.

Mae is survived by her husband Sid, her daughters Dianne and Gayle, ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

We thank God for the many years of her life and her example of faith in the midst of life’s great challenges and blessings.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to Latin American ministries using this website: https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/give-us