Obituary

Mae was born in Bellingham to William and Nellie (Bruimsma) Vander Kooi on April 9, 1940. She married Hugo Nyssen in 1967 and they lived together in Lynden. She passed away at Saint Joseph Hospital on Friday, February 17, 2017.

She attended Lynden Christian High School and graduated from Western with a degree in teaching. Mae taught sixth grade in Darrington and spent 15 years teaching with Head Start.
Mae enjoyed reading, gardening, attending church activities, feeding and watching the birds, shopping for antiques, and ceramics. She was very involved with her church, including teaching Sunday school. However, there was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her grandchildren. She always had time to listen to their problems and hear about their days, and this applied to all her friends and family. She was always gentle and kind.

She is survived by her two children, Adria Cadman and Lisa Lopez; four grandchildren, Erika Pham, Andy Gray, Jacob Cadman, and Kayla Mills; her sister, Jessie Heaps; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mae joins her husband and parents in Heaven.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 21st at 2:00pm at Faith Reformed Church in Lynden.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in Mae’s name to Faith Reformed Church (300 7th St, Lynden).