Ms. Maria McFadden died on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Hermitage Gardens in Oxford, MS.

Maria was born in Bandoeng Java, Indonesia. Her parents were Dutch. Maria’s father was a civil engineer for the Dutch railway system in the Dutch East Indies. Maria lived a wonderful life in “Paradise” as she called it until the advent of WW2. The Dutch were enemies of the Japanese and her family was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner of war camp beginning in 1942 and lasting 3 ½ years. Following liberation by British troops, she emigrated to San Francisco, CA by way of Australia. When she landed in the US she worked for I Magnim and modeled from 1947-1950. She married John McFadden on April 30, 1953, in Oxnard, CA. They had two children Justine (Tina) and Dallas. While married to John, an Air Force officer, they moved 24 times before returning to John’s hometown of Oxford, MS, in 1973. Maria began breeding Apoloosas and Australian Shepherds and in 1974, she started giving instruction horsemanship and dressage basics in Oxford. In later years, when she was able to relate details of her life during WW2, she was surrounded by friends who were Veterans of Vietnam and WW2 and recognized for her bravery under duress and the bravery of her dear mother who sustained her through their years in the POW camps.

Maria is proceeded in death by her father, Johan Beek; and her mother, Justine Simon. Survivors include her son, Dallas McFadden, of Port St. John, FL; and her daughter, Justine Huber, of Orlando, FL, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Many thanks to her friends and caretakers at Hermitage Gardens and to Gail Reed, Shirley Dennis, Odelia Delbridge, Jennifer Rockett, JoAnn Mathis and Izetta Barringer.

Coleman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com