Elfrieda Fontein, 89
KENNEBUNK -- Elfrieda Fontein died peacefully on May 27, 2011 in Kennebunk at the age of 89. She was predeceased in 2010 by her loving husband of 65 years, Pieter Dirk Matak Fontein.
Elfrieda was born in Smyrna (now Izmir), Turkey, on June 7, 1921 to Frederik M.E. van der Zee, who owned a shipping business and served as the Netherlands Consul to Egypt, and Janet Giraud. The family moved to Alexandria, Egypt when Elfrieda was an infant. She was raised in that Mediterranean city and became fluent in many languages including Greek and Latin. She also studied art, which she enjoyed and practiced throughout her entire life. Elfrieda attended middle school in Holland and secondary school at Bedgebury in Kent, England, where she graduated with the highest honors. During WWII, Elfrieda returned to Alexandria where she served as a volunteer for the British Red Cross Society, first with the Egyptian Branch and then later in London, England. For her work in caring for and comforting the Allied patients, she received three medals from the British War Department, the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star and the War Medal 1939-45. In Alexandria, Elfrieda met her future husband, Pieter, who was serving as an officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were married in London on Feb. 8, 1945. After the war, Elfrieda and Pieter lived briefly in Holland, and in 1948 moved to New Jersey when her husband was transferred by Holland America Lines. Before moving to Kennebunk in 2007, Elfrieda lived in New Jersey for 59 years, mostly in Oradell where she had an active life raising four children. She did volunteer work for the Pascack Valley Hospital where she became President of the Auxiliary, and accompanied her husband on numerous business trips throughout the USA, Caribbean and Europe. Elfrieda routinely drove into New York City to attend museum lectures, enjoy the theater and participate in Netherlands Club functions. She also enjoyed spending summers in Maine as a resident of Biddeford Pool for 45 years. Elfrieda attended the Episcopal Church and was a regular church member in both Oradell and Biddeford Pool. She was a devoted wife and wonderful mother who tirelessly impressed upon her children the importance of education, culture and good manners. Elfrieda leaves behind her four children, Edward from Houston, Texas, Madeleine and her husband Wayne DeVries from Riverside, Conn., Frederik and his wife Marilyn from North Andover, Mass., and Christine and her husband Eric Blom from Wakefield, Mass.; along with 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The family plans to have a service for their beloved matriarch on May 29 at St. Martin's in the Field in Biddeford Pool at 5 p.m. Arrangements are with Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home - Saco, Maine.
Charitable Donations
may be made to:
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl.
New York, NY 10001
St. Martin's in the Field
Biddeford Pool, ME 04006
Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on May 29, 2011.