GUURTJE TRUDY SMIT (RIET)

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GUURTJE (TRUDY) SMIT
(nee RIET)
May 30, 1920 - August 28, 2019

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Trudy, known to all as 'Oma', at age 99, on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Heritage Lodge Personal Care Home following a brief illness.
Predeceased by her parents, Cornelius and Elizabeth (Woudt), husband Gerard, son Keesje, daughter Elizabeth (Bruce) and grandson Ben Barkley, she will be sadly missed by her daughter Nel Wichers, sons, Gerry (Jan), Adrian (Mavine), son-in-law Claude Bruce, daughter-in-law Judy Smit, 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Oma was born in Zaandam, Netherlands, on May 30, 1920; she was an only child. She was proud of her heritage and enjoyed Dutch treats including chocolate and herring.
She met the love of her life, Gerard, at age 15 and married on May 23, 1940, during the Second World War, at age 19. She was a loving mother of five children and was heartbroken with the tragic passing of her son Keesje at age four and the passing of her daughter Elizabeth in 2017 to cancer.
In 1953 she came to Canada with her family, settling first Winnipeg, moved to Monominto in 1976 and returned to St. Vital in 1985 where she resided until her recent move into a personal care home.
Family and friends were incredibly important to Oma. She enjoyed spending time with her family; she loved attending family celebrations and seeing her family grow. She also loved getting together with her church ladies for bible study; she found comfort and strength in her faith and relationship with God.
Oma always had a positive attitude despite the hardships she experienced during the war years, the great depression and moving to a new country where she did not speak the language.
She was a hard worker spending countless hours preparing meals, gardening, freezing and canning food and working outside the home to support her family. She loved to knit, sew and do other crafts such as needle point. Most recently she would spend hours doing crossword puzzles.
She loved to laugh and was often seen smiling; she often had a joke to share when family would come and visit. We are so lucky that she had a sharp mind right until the end; sharing stories with family and friends over the years.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to Judy Smit, who Oma referred to as her 'Angel' for her countless hours of caregiving over the years. We are all so blessed for her love and support!
A celebration of her life will take place at Green Acres Funeral Home; Highway #1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Online condolences can be made at
www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

GREEN ACRES
Funeral Home and Cemetery
(204) 222-3241
Condolences may be sent to
www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2019