Catharina Roelofina (Gomes) SMITH

It is with saddened and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Catharina Roelofina Smith. Mom passed away after a brief illness at the Elrose Health Centre on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the age of 89. She was born in Den Helder, Holland on March 13, 1928, to Johanna Roelofina (née Van Dam) and Johannes Hendrikus Gomes. She met Peter Smith when they were both part of the Dutch Underground during the Resistance.  They married on March 25, 1946 after the war. After having three children in Holland, they decided to immigrate to Canada in October of 1952 and found employment with Fred Powell from Wiseton. They overcame many hardships and obstacles during their move to Canada including a language barrier. Catharina was a member of the Welcome Valley Booster Club, CWL and was very active with the band program in Wiseton. After many years of hard work, Catharina and Peter purchased the farm where they had come to work after immigrating to Canada. In 1984, they moved to Elrose and sold the farm in 1989. They enjoyed many years of travelling in their camper and motorhome. Mom's favourite things were dancing, doing crafts, camping and going to Hawaii. She loved visiting with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even had the honour of having great-great-grandchildren. Mom was a great cook and always had lots when company would appear for a meal. No one made a better pot of Dutch soup than her and that is agreed upon by the whole family!  Her coffee pot was always on and enjoyed by many friends and neighbours. She was very proud of and treasured her Delft Blue collection from Holland.

Catharina was predeceased by her husband of 51 years Peter Smith (1997), her son Nicolaas Smith (1972), her grandchildren Tanya Maria Loewen (2002) and Nicolaas Peter Smith (2012), great-granddaughter Chelsea Jordan Dawe (1999), son-in-law Bob Loewen (2007), parents Hendrikus Gomes (1936) and Johanna Van Dam (1993) and infant brother Cornellius Gomes (1930).

Left to mourn her passing are her daughters Anna Perrault (Archie Spence) of Brandon, MB [Glenda Wilson (Brian Kilpatrick), Carla Eisler (Derrick), Cindy Thacker]; Tina Smith of Saskatoon [Keith Dawe (Tammy), Tracey Milliken (Ed)]; Winn Smit (Keith Janzen) of Saskatoon [Verna Peters (Philip)]; Loretta Torrance (Kim) of Elrose [Brandy Elliott (Ryan Metz), Rhonda Klaudt (Jason) and Peter Elliott (Stephanie)]; Martha Tansey (Ed) of Warman [Timothy and Catharina] and all of their families, 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister Jeanette Visscher of Velsen Noord, Holland and many nieces and nephews.

Vigil of Prayer was held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Liturgy was celebrated  on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:00 am. both from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Elrose, SK with Reverend Father Rhéal Bussière celebrant. Interment to follow at the Holt-Mosten Cemetery, Wiseton, SK.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CNIB (Canadian National Institute of the Blind), 1921 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, M4G 3E8 or to the Elrose Health Centre Auxiliary, P.O. Box 100, Elrose, SK, S0L 0Z0.

---

 Service Information