SMINK, Yvonne
April 27, 1951 – May 24, 2019
It is with deep sorrow that the family of Yvonne
Smink announce her passing on May 24, 2019. After three years of living with cancer, she died
peacefully in Dulcina Hospice in Calgary, surrounded by her loving family.
Yvonne is predeceased by her parents Nora Carter (nee Clark) and Victor Carter. She is survived by husband Willem, son
Laurence Smink (Lesley Cooke), daughter Erica Lang (Jason) and grandson Jacob, and
sisters Gillian Parker and Bernice Sargent.
Yvonne was born in Bristol, England on April 27, 1951,
the youngest of three sisters. In her youth there she rode horses and began to
develop a love of animals and nature that would shape her life. She emigrated
to Canada in 1970, working as a lab technician in electron microscopy at the
University of Calgary Medical School. She would eventually earn certification
as a registered technologist. It was there she met Willem, her husband of 43
years, and they were married in August 1976.
Deeply faithful, Yvonne devoted much of her time to
the Anglican church in congregation, volunteering and through bible study. She
also spent many years as a volunteer, where she made a significant impact
through her decades of effort. First, with the Nose Hill Park Communities Board
where she was influential in preserving the natural park space we know today.
Later she volunteered at the Calgary Zoo as a docent, working with animals and
educating the public. There she found great fulfillment through her work and
made lasting friendships.
Her volunteerism continued throughout her life,
including the years she lived in Jakarta Indonesia, freely giving her time to
the Kibun Binatang Raguna Zoo, which she recognized as a unique opportunity to
experience and learn from. Later, while in St Johns, NL, she volunteered with
St Johns Anglican Cathedral tea room, and helped organize the Trailblazers
hiking group. In her spare time she rescued many animals, mostly cats and dogs,
finding them homes or taking them in herself. She was so dedicated to this
cause that she even returned from Indonesia with two rescued stray cats in tow.
On retiring to Bragg Creek Yvonne volunteered with the Cochrane Humane Society,
again helping rescue unwanted animals around the region.
Yvonne was an avid gardener and crafter who found
great satisfaction in sewing and needlework and making cards and other crafts.
Her love of animals led her to adopt for 4 miniature donkeys that she had cared
for, for the last several years. Over the years she rescued hundreds of animals
and personally adopted dozens.
Yvonne’s life was defined by a deep faith and love for
God, her devotion to the care of her family, her love of animals and nature,
all of which were bound by a generous, giving spirit that allowed her to devote
her time and energy to those things. She acknowledged that she was blessed by
and thankful for the generous support freely given by her family and friends
during her illness.
A Funeral Service will be held on
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 10:30 am at St. James Anglican Church (6351
Ranchview Dr NW, Calgary, AB). Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cochrane Humane Society www.cochranehumane.ca or to Ovarian Cancer Canada www.ovariancanada.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de SMINK Yvonne April 27 1951 – May 24 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Cochrane, Province: Alberta