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STEYAERT, Mathilde Josephine (December 8, 1918 – October 15, 2023)
After a long and well-lived life, our much-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Mathilde Josephine (VanSteenbrugge) Steyaert passed peacefully on October 15, 2023, in her 105th year.
Lovingly remembered by her son Tony (Gail) Steyaert, of Tillsonburg. Also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Bob (Kara) Steyaert, of Waterloo and their children Charlie and Alex; Dave (Erin) Steyaert, of Tillsonburg and their daughters Abi and Gracee; Mike (Marcia) Steyaert, of Putnam and their sons Ben and Caleb. Also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and a few great-grand puppies too. Predeceased by her siblings: Henri, Emiel, Octavie and Staunce.
Mathilde (Tilda) was born in 1918 in Wondelgem, E.F., Belgium to the late Maria and Henri VanSteenbrugge.
She lived through a severe depression in Europe; started working in a textile factory at 11 years old and therefore never had the chance to learn to read or write; cared for her newborn son Antoine (Tony) when her husband Octaaf (Gus) was taken to a German POW camp for six months; and eventually immigrated with Gus and Tony to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1948 knowing not a soul and not able to speak a word of English.
Tilda and Gus worked hard, saved money, and eventually moved to Ontario and bought a farm in Tillsonburg. She worked on that very farm into her 80s and was well-loved by countless seasonal workers, who often had a hard time keeping up to her! After Gus passed in 2000, Tilda continued to live on the farm on her own until she was 100 years old.
In keeping with Tilda’s wishes, a private traditional Funeral Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes Chapel, on Friday, October 20, 2023, by Rev. Fr. Seejo John, of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Tillsonburg. Burial follows Friday in Tillsonburg Cemetery.
Everyone who knew Tilda is encouraged to share favourite memories, upload photos, express personal condolences or contribute memorial donations to the “Helping Hand Food Bank” via an online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg (519)842-4238, which has been entrusted with all funeral arrangements, with confidence.
The Steyaert family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the first floor staff at Maple Manor Nursing Home, for the outstanding care, support and friendship provided to Tilda over the past four years. Special thanks also to Dr. Andrew for his care and compassion.
October 15th 2023
Death notice for the town of: Tillsonburg, Province: Ontario
death notice Mathilde Josephine Steyaert VanSteenbrugge October 15th 2023
obituaries notice Mathilde Josephine Steyaert VanSteenbrugge October 15th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mathilde Josephine Steyaert VanSteenbrugge October 15th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
