Wilhelmina SMEE

WILHELMINA SMEE 1944 - 2013
After a courageous battle with cancer, Wilhelmina Smee died peacefully at home on October 25, 2013, with her best friend and beloved husband of 48 years, Ken, by her side. She is survived by her mother, Willie Ruben, her brother Rudy and his wife Reina, her three beloved children and their spouses, Andrew and Yvonne, John and Kate, and Caroline and Hassan, and her eight adored and adoring grandchildren Madeleine, Charlotte, Sami, Lindsey, Michael, Dean, Ian, and Gabriel.
Born in Amsterdam in 1944, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and brother when she was three years old. She grew up in Montreal and attended McGill University where she and Ken met. A graduate of the physiotherapy program, Willie loved to help her patients and worked at the Kingston General Hospital, and then, after raising her family, she re-certified and worked at the North York General Hospital and Seniors Health Centre.
A devoted and hands on grandmother, she worked side by side with each of her grandchildren patiently doing joint sewing, gardening, cooking, and craft projects. There wasn't anything Gramma Willie couldn't make or fix. She was also an amazing and creative chef who loved new recipes and different cuisines. Her family and friends will very much miss her gourmet entertaining.
She was happiest spending time with her family and friends as well as travelling the world with Ken and experiencing new cultures. Willie was someone for whom every day mattered, and she particularly loved gardening and being at the cottage. Always willing to try new things, Willie enjoyed challenging herself both physically and as an artist in cloth or glass. A provincially competitive relay runner at John Rennie High School in Pointe Claire, Willie took up running again at 60 and enjoyed many 5k and 10k runs as well as long distance walks on the Camino de Santiago in 2003, 2008, and 2012. She also loved yoga, kayaking, swimming at the lake, and beach walks. Willie was an active member of the United Church, first at the Mount Royal United Church, then Oriole York Mills United Church, and now Eglinton St. George's United Church. Her enthusiasm for life, warmth, and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Memorial donations may be made to Eglinton St. George's United Church or to the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre. The visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, October 28 at the Newbigging Funeral Home, 733 Mt. Pleasant Road (south of Eglinton). The service in celebration of Willie's life will be held on Tuesday, October 29 at 11 a.m. at Eglinton St. George's United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd., with reception to follow. Condolences may be expressed at Newbiggingfuneralhome.com