22 novembre 2021
Hendrika Hetty (Smulders)
1933-2021
Hetty SMULDERS (née Vullinghs), aged 88, passed away on Monday, November 22nd, 2021, surrounded by her family. Predeceased by her beloved husband Pieter Smulders (d. 2018), she was the much-cherished mother of Peter (Adriana), Mark (Tany), Annette (François) and Michelle (Ian), and adored Oma of Jessica (Piotr), Jona (Sunni), Thomas (Ashleigh), Saskia (Dani), James, Patrik, Paul, Charlotte and Sebastian.
Hetty was the 11th of 12 children born to Jacob and Antonia Vullinghs at “De Hees” in the village of Sevenum in the Netherlands. Witnessing the drama of WWII as a child, Hetty developed tremendous courage and resilience, and a deep commitment to family. The first 9 years of Hetty’s married life were spent in rural Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where she raised four children on tobacco farms managed by her husband, Pieter. They spent the next 14 years in various countries in Europe before settling on the South Shore of Montreal in 1980 where they later started a mushroom farm. In all, the family moved 16 times. Through her unfailing positivity, Hetty helped her children to embrace each transition as an exciting adventure and opportunity, while also providing stability and continuity. At the age of 72, Hetty and Pieter finally retired and moved to Aylmer, Quebec, to be closer to family. They also had the good fortune to be welcomed by a wonderful community of lovely neighbours.
Hetty will be greatly missed by all who she touched during her 88 years. She will be especially remembered for her warmth, her sense of fun, and her exceptional gifts as a gardener, transforming the grounds of each new home into awe-inspiring canvasses of colour, beauty, and tranquility. At the Aylmer Monastery Residence, she made friends quickly, as usual, and loved playing the piano for them. The family thanks the staff and all caregivers who enriched her final years.
A celebration of life will be held at 11AM on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church (stmarksaylmer.ca) followed by a burial ceremony of both, Hetty and the cremated remains of Pieter, at St. Paul’s cemetery.
Attendees are requested to register in advance and to wear masks and practice social distancing. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, there will be no reception.
You are welcome to attend via this livestream link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD0EzGsK4pk&authuser=0
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Société Alzheimer de l’Outaouais or Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Hendrika Vullinghs..
Death notice for the town of: Gatineau, Province: Quebec