Ruth Smit ~ Roelfke Eltje (Vanderveen) Smit of Zuidhorn went home to be with her Lord, on Sunday, November 20, 2022, in her 88th year.
Ruth was wife of the late Alef Smit of Sarnia, Ontario.
Mother of Patricia & Tim Kornelis of Visalia, California, Melinda & Wil Bakker of Listowel, and Keenan & Valerie Smit of Prescott.
Grandmother of Brian & Mallory Kornelis, Michael & Alley Kornelis, Kevin & Anna Kornelis, Darren & Emily Kornelis, Jason & Rosanne Bakker, Jacqueline & Dave Brouwer, Brad & Kendra Bakker, Lauren & Hilbert Koersen, Kyle & Victoria Moody, Kelley Smit, Danielle & Brad Weese, Alex Blanche & Justin Hose, Jake Smit & Sierra Johnston-Leger, and great-grandmother of 24.
Sister of Bill & Jenny Vanderveen of St. Catherines, and sister-in-law of Brenda Vanderveen and Margaret Vanderveen.
Predeceased by her parents Hendrik & Menna (Oudman) Vanderveen, sister Bea Vroom & husband Bernard, brother Bob Vanderveen, daughter Emma Smit, granddaughter Natalie Bakker, and great-grandson Benjamin Brouwer.
Mom was born the youngest of four children. She grew up the small town of Zuidhorn in The Netherlands. She had a beautiful childhood until WWII broke out, which significantly impacted the life of her youth and that of her family. We thank God for their faith as they traversed through the many travesties that war can bring. Her father and siblings were separated from the family for periods of time during the war, leaving Ruth at home with her mother. Her father spent over two years in a prison camp until the end of the war. The family was reunited following the war, and they moved to Canada in 1953.
Moving to a new country brought its own challenges, but once again God was their source of strength. Mom and dad married in 1956 and had four children. Life in those early family years had its own struggles and once again God again was their source of strength. Mom and dads love for life and adventure was contagious, which provided a positive impression and memory for their grandchildren. They openly shared her love and passion for Jesus with them.
We thank you mom for how much you invested in the life of your grandchildren and for all the seeds you have planted in them. God’s faithfulness will be passed down to the next generation. We love you mom and Oma.
Funeral service will be held at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Listowel, on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Henry Meinen officiating. The service will be live-streamed and the link available on the funeral home and the church website.
Interment to take place on Friday November 25th at 11:00 a.m. in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia.
Memorial donations to Listowel Christian School or Listowel Memorial Hospital would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Smit Sunday November 20th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Listowel, Province: Ontario