Maryke Schuyt Meyers died on July 24, 2024, after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her devoted husband Bill of 55+ years; four loving children (and their spouses) – Jason (JJ), Heidi (Kevin Bergman), Heather (Jeremy Ramsey) and Kevin (Peggy); and 9 adorable grandchildren – Elise, Madison, Claire, Simon, Kirsten, Izzy, Katelyn, Luke and Brody.

Maryke was born in Utrecht, Holland on October 25, 1937, to Antonius and Marie Schuyt.  Her father flew for the Dutch Navy during WW II.  He escaped the Nazi invasion and served with the US and Australian Navies.  After the war, Maryke emigrated to the US with her family in 1950.  They settled in Coral Gables, FL.  Education was very important to Maryke’s father and she embraced that throughout her life.

Maryke attended grade and high school at St Theresa Catholic School in Coral Gables. She attended Dade County Community College, receiving an associate’s degree.  In 1965, she received a BS in Elementary Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee.  She taught 5^th grade for two years in Lake Wales and Orlando before being recruited by Florida State University for a graduate fellowship to earn her master’s degree in education.

In 1967 she met her future husband Bill at a Catholic Student Center welcome picnic. They fell in love, became engaged April 1, 1968, and married at the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables on January 25, 1969, shortly after Bill graduated from Florida State with his master’s degree in Nuclear Physics.  Six short weeks later, Bill went to US Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport RI. Maryke finished her master’s degree studies while teaching 5^th grade full time in Tallahassee. They reunited in September 1969 at Ft Meade, MD and Maryke embarked on one of the toughest jobs in the world – Navy Wife and Mom. Even though she experienced many arduous situations, she thoroughly enjoyed every one of Bill’s duty stations. Several of these 21+ years were spent in overseas locations, including Germany, Azores and Spain.  Within the US, she lived at Ft Meade, MD, Alameda, CA, Coral Gables, FL, Sugar Grove, WV and Severna Park, MD. Along the way, she gave birth to four kids around the world.  She relished her many experiences at all the various duty stations. When asked “Where did you like best?”, she always answered:  “I liked all of them because each provided such unique opportunities and experiences.”

After Bill retired from the Navy in 1990, they remained in Severna Park, MD while Bill continued to support the Naval Research Laboratory in satellite technology programs. She became involved in various educational and charitable endeavors. When a Belgian family moved in across the street with two children in 3^rd and 1^st grade, she volunteered at the elementary school to mentor them and help them adjust to the American school system. She quickly became the “adopted” room mother and continued in that capacity for several more years. She especially enjoyed Halloween when her “students” would always come Trick or Treating.  She volunteered with the Severn River Lions Club, assisting with major fund-raising events and helping to staff their Thrift Store.  She also volunteered at the Annapolis Hospital Thrift Store. She supported various health organizations and was the Treasurer for the local Weight Watchers chapter.

When Maryke and Bill started searching for their retirement home, their desire was to live in the mountains where it was never too hot or too cold. While visiting Heather and Jeremy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory near Knoxville, she noted Asheville was not too far away. That led to a week-long stay in the area and the discovery of Lake Pointe Landing as the ideal place to put down roots.  A second visit during the Apple Festival sealed the deal.

In 2005, Maryke and Bill began their phased transition into retirement.  Maryke spent two summers and a spring turning their villa into a home while Bill took countless business trips to California.  The neighbors called her the “Weekday Widow” and made her an honorary member of the Lake Pointe Landing widows group that went out for lunch on a regular basis.

Maryke and Bill permanently transitioned into retirement in Spring 2010. Maryke had the fun of “educating” Bill about all the great things in Hendersonville.  She continued to engage in several charitable organizations, including the Hendersonville Symphony League, the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, Blue Ridge Health Center, and Pardee Hospital Foundation.

When looking back over her lifetime, she would invariably comment about how exciting all her experiences were. She had a very full and satisfying life and gladly shared it with others. May all of us remember and cherish her always positive outlook on life and what she brought into our lives. May she rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future time and date.