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Obituary: Margarete “Oma” Vanderstoep,
99, Lowville
Published: January 11, 2023
By: Provided by Sundquist
Funeral Home
Margarete “Oma” Vanderstoep
 LOWVILLE - Margarete “Oma” Vanderstoep, a strong Prussian woman, died peacefully
on January 9, 2023, surrounded by her family, at the Lewis County
Residential Healthcare Facility. She was 99 years old, born January 6, 1924 in Stallupönen, East
Prussia, Germany.
Margarete is
survived by her daughter, Susan McArdle (Kevin), her grandchildren, Michael
McArdle (Meaghan) and Caitlin McArdle, her nephews, Hans W. Kubillun and Ralph Kubillun
and many nieces and nephews in the Netherlands.
Predeceasing
Margarete was the love of her life, her husband, Bastiaan
“Opa” Vanderstoep. Oma was also predeceased by her parents
Otto and Helene Kubillun, and her siblings, Hans
F. Kubillun (Erika), Ernst Kubillun
and Helene “Lenchen” Kubillun.
Margarete enjoyed
a long and eventful life. Her father emigrated to Rochester, New York prior
to WWII,
but was not able to bring his family to join him until after the 2nd World
War ended. Growing up in the countryside of northern Germany, Margarete was
raised to be practical and strong. She survived the ravages of World War II
but not without experiencing the loss of her youngest brother Ernst. Almost
ten years after the War, Margarete was permitted to emigrate to the United
States to start a new life with her remaining family in Rochester, NY.
Margarete and her siblings supported one another throughout these years and
forged ahead in the US with an unbreakable bond. She met her future
husband, a Dutchman, in English class. She often joked that she had to win Bastiaan away from “all the pretty Italian girls”. They
were married on September 12, 1953, at Andrew’s Street Baptist Church in
Rochester, New York.
Margarete and Bastiaan lived the American Dream. Together they worked
hard and raised a family. They were role models for many. Margarete and Bastiaan were proud of their United States Citizenship,
and yet never forgot their European roots. They visited Germany and the
Netherlands often.
Oma enjoyed
knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and gardening.
She was a wonderful cook, specializing in East Prussian cuisine. Oma rarely
used a recipe. She was the steady rock of our family. We know she is now
surrounded by family and friends.
Margarete will be
buried in Rochester, NY at Riverside Cemetery at the convenience of the
family. Donations in memory of Margarete may be made to the Activities
Department at Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility.
The family wishes
to thank the wonderful staff on the 2nd floor of the Lewis County
Residential Healthcare Facility for their compassionate care of “Oma”.
On-line
condolences of sympathy may be made to: www.sundquistfh.com
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