Francine KUYPERS

KUYPERS, Francine (Gertrude Marie)
Peacefully at Mount Sinai Hospital on August 25, 2009. A private family funeral was held on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Toronto Necropolis.
Francine was born of Dutch heritage in Java on May 21, 1922. Although raised in Indonesia, she lived much of her young adult life in The Netherlands and Great Britain before immigrating to Canada in 1951. As a young teen, she travelled with her parents to China, Japan and the United States. It was during these travels that she started to draw and paint.
Francine's studies in the Netherlands were greatly influenced by The Bauhaus, one of the first colleges of design. Later, while living in Scotland, she continued her studies at the Glasgow School of Art.
Francine's first art exhibition of major paintings was in Toronto in 1968, and she had exhibited numerous times since. Francine had also given drawing and painting classes for many years. Although her major works are impressive, her smaller watercolours and drawings are loved by many for their simplicity, beauty and uniqueness.
Francine will be fondly remembered for her talent as an artist, wisdom as a teacher and mentor, and devotion to her family. She is survived by her daughters, Bettina (George Supol) and Laura (Robert O'Sullivan), and her grandchildren, Hailey, Scott and Trevor.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mount Sinai Hospital Intensive Care Unit, 416-586-4800.