Maria “Ria” Johanna Helena (Van Straalen) Van Son, age 95, passed peacefully into her heavenly home on Jan. 22, 2026, in her own home, surrounded by her loving family.
Ria was born on Oct. 1, 1930, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, to Cornelus and Anna Van Straalen. She was the fifth of nine children in a close-knit Dutch family that shaped her deep love for family, faith, and togetherness.
At 23 years old, Ria began a courtship with her neighbor from across the street, Kees Van Son.
Throughout their four-year relationship, Kees dreamed of marrying Ria and moving to the United States.
Ria hesitated, not wanting to leave her large and beloved family. Then, one New Year’s Eve celebration, she turned to Kees and said, “OK, I will go to America with you.”
They were married on Oct. 28, 1957. Family legend has it that the very next day, Kees left on his “honeymoon” to the United States with his mother, while Ria followed three months later.
They settled in Arcadia, California, and two years later welcomed their firstborn daughter Margie.
After Margie’s birth, the family moved to Azusa. Over the next 10 years, Ria and Kees were blessed with four more daughters and one son.
In 1969, Ria asked Kees if they could move to a town with fresher air, and they found their forever home in Goleta. Ria remained in her Goleta home for 56 years, where she lovingly raised her family.
Ria was a devoted homemaker who created a home filled with warmth, routine and love. The breakfast table was set every morning before the children left for school, family dinner was shared every night, and she faithfully attended countless sporting events.
She was a talented seamstress, making many matching dresses for her five daughters, and shirts and shorts for her son.
Ria also loved crocheting and knitting and was rarely without a project in her hands.
She delighted in giving her creations away — beanies, scarves, sweaters, and blankets that now live on throughout her family. She donated baby blankets, sweaters, booties and beanies to needy patients at a local pediatric office and scarves to the homeless.
One especially fond memory was when she knitted red beanies for her grandson Hayden’s entire second-grade class in inner-city Chicago.
A longtime member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Ria participated in the church bowling league for many years and enjoyed monthly game days with other women from the parish.
Ria truly enjoyed life; she was the life of the party. She loved hosting gatherings, barbecues and celebrations, bringing family and friends together whenever she could.
She was immensely proud of her Dutch heritage, and cherished her Dutch foods, traditions and friendships.
Above all, Ria loved her family with her whole heart. She signed her cards “All my love,” words she lived by every day. She loved unconditionally and forgave easily.
She was extremely proud of the large, loving family she and Kees created together.
Ria was preceded in death by her parents; eight siblings; her beloved husband Kees; her oldest grandson Nathan; and her 10 in-laws and their spouses. She was the last of our parents’ generation.
She is survived by her six children Margie Grill (Jeffery), Jennifer Winnewisser (Steve), Teri Salcedo (Joe), Monique Morelos (Raphael), Pauline Halop, and David Van Son (Jill); 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandson on the way.
It was a blessing that every family member was able to visit with her in her final days.
Ria is now at home with our Lord and joyfully reunited with her beloved husband Kees, who passed in 2001.
A rosary will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, also at St. Raphael Catholic Church, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery and a reception afterward.