Maudy Willowdaen Schardijn, 91, passed away on July 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born July 31, 1934, in Semarang, Island of Java, Indonesia to Theodorus William and Theresia Helena Van Loo, Maudy was the second oldest of four children. While there, she lived and experienced a very colorful life, from the innocence of childhood to the unfortunate circumstances of World War II.

After the war, Indonesia gained their independence from Dutch colonial rule. So, Maudy’s mother, having lost her husband at a young age due to military service, emigrated from Indonesia to the Netherlands with her four children.

Having arrived in Holland as a teenager, Maudy completed her high school years in the formal Dutch educational system, where she met her future husband, Gustaaf Schardijn. She later worked for the Dutch police department, often in collaboration with Interpol.

Having been born with a congenital heart defect, Maudy desperately needed open heart surgery. At that time, the pioneering surgeon was operating out of Stanford University Hospital. Thus, Maudy and her husband immigrated to the United States at the ages of 24 and 22 respectively, via a 30-day ship journey. Maudy did have her heart surgery, and she and Gus settled in Redwood City raising their three children, Errol, Roger and Claudine.

Maudy’s siblings and loving family all remained in The Netherlands, but she frequently visited. Toward the end, she visited annually, celebrating her 90th birthday there with her remaining brother, in-laws and the ever-growing family

Maudy was a very creative and artistic individual. She excelled in drawing, painting, decorating, sculpting, stained glass, flower arranging among many other arts. She also had a green thumb and could make anything grow from just a plant slip. Her prized possessions were her rare staghorn ferns, of which she had propagated dozens.

Despite her many talents, Maudy’s greatest gift and life’s purpose was to nurture children. She raised and babysat many generations of children, many of which lovingly referred to her as “Mama Maud”.

Maudy lived a full life and became very funny in her later years. She smiled, joked and laughed a lot! She would literally crack you up at times with witty remarks, as she remained sharp as a tack until the end.

Maudy was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, sister in-law and good friend.

Maudy will be forever loved and greatly missed!