SMOLENAARS, Diane May
(nee Ford)
Surrounded by love and family, Diane Smolenaars, age 70, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Ian Anderson House, Oakville. Born May 23, 1948, Diane was raised on a Holstein cattle farm in Milton, Ontario. She often spoke fondly of her life on the farm – attending county fairs, participating in 4-H competitions and helping to care for the many animals. As a young adult, Diane trained and worked at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital… Read More » as a Registered Nurse Assistant. Not long after, on a blind date, she met her future husband, Martin. After a brief courtship they married and settled in Oakville to raise their family, where they lived happily together (well, most days at least) until her death. After the birth of their second daughter, Diane focused her energy on raising their children, but later returned to the workforce as a bus driver and then an Educational Assistant to children with developmental challenges with the Halton Catholic District School Board. Over the last 15 years Diane embraced retirement living, keeping busy in the garden, quilting masterpieces, enjoying the company of friends, and doting on her much-loved grandchildren.
With strong will, a positive spirit and the love and support of many, Diane’s battle with colorectal cancer over the past five years was well-fought – she was the champion of every round until the very last. Diane will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched and leaves behind, including her cherished husband of almost 49 years, Martin, daughters Denise (Shawn Chapman) and Michelle (Stewart Hunter), grandchildren Joshua and Mikaela, bonus granddaughters Erin and Michelle, and sister Yvonne Ford-Gillen. Diane is predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Mildred, brother Delmar and brother-in-law Jim.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at KITCHING STEEPE & LUDWIG FUNERAL HOME at 146 Mill St N, Waterdown. Private Cremation has taken Place. Visitation to be held from 1-2pm with a Memorial Service immediately following at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or Ian Anderson House hospice.
Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Diane Smolenaars 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Waterdown, Province: Ontario