Obituary for
Frances Smit (Van Setten)
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 7 grandsons. Survived by 2 sisters in the Netherlands, Gees Van Setten and Marietje Van Dijk. Predeceased by parents Koop Van Setten and Thijsje Van Setten-Petter, 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
Mom had an interesting life, raised in a quaint farming community, the Venice of the North in the Netherlands, the middle of 9 children, 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 6 months pregnant and with a 2 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. 2 more sons were born, so by 1960 mom had 4 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 4 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 5 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 2-5 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.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances
Smit 1928 2018..
Source: henry walser funeral home
Death notice for the town of: Kitchener, Province: Ontario