Frances SMIT

SMIT, Frances Passed away peacefully at Trinity Village Care Centre on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the age of 90. Beloved wife of Jacob for over 65 years, loving mother of Willem (Leslie), Carl (late Cindy), Bernie (Carol), and Edward. Proud Oma of Corey, Cassandra, Ben, Shelby, Amanda, Phil, Vanessa, Alana, and Jacinda. Also proud great-Oma of seven great-grandsons. Survived by two sisters in the Netherlands, Gees Van Setten and Marietje Van Dijk. Predeceased by parents Koop Van Setten and Thijsje Van Setten-Petter, three sisters, and three brothers. Mom had an interesting life, raised in a quaint farming community, the Venice of the North in the Netherlands, the middle of nine children, and was all of 13 years old when Germany invaded the Netherlands, very difficult times for a teenager. She graduated from school to become a midwife and helped nurse many families in their homes. In 1953, she married Jacob, who had just returned from serving in Indonesia for the Dutch Military. The young couple farmed in Giethoorn with her father-in-law, then an opportunity came to move to Canada. In 1956, the young couple, six months pregnant and with a two year old son, spent 13 days on the ship, emigrating to Canada. After working on dairy farms as labourers for 3 years, a farm near Palmerston, Ontario was purchased. Two more sons were born so, by 1960, mom had four boys to look after. Once the farm was purchased, Dad had to work at a factory in order to make the mortgage payments. Made for a difficult time for mom, learning to speak English, very little family support, and running the farm, dealing with four very active boys. Things began to get better once the farm was sold in 1975 and the family moved to Elmira, Ontario. Mom then operated Appledale Bed & Breakfast for a number of years until Dad retired, then they moved to New Hamburg, spending their winters in Florida. The last five years of failing health made life difficult again, but with the help of Carl and Jo-Anne Soye, some level of comfort was achieved up until the last few days. Rest in peace, Mom. The family extends sincere thanks to Jo-Anne Soye, and to the wonderful staff at Trinity Village for the compassionate care Mom received over the years. Frances' family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 31, 2018 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home , 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. Memories of Frances will be shared at 4:30 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Trinity Village Care Centre would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home). Visit www.henrywalser.com for Frances' memorial.