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Dorothy's (Mom) earthly life began on October 8, 1927 in Ijlst, Friesland. She was the fourth of eleven children. She married Williams Smids (our Dad) on January 29, 1948 and immigrated to Canada in May of 1948. They settled in Dresden ON, eventually moved to Sarnia where she lived for over sixty years, and for the last ten years she lived in London, ON to be closer to family. She was married for almost sixty-four years before Dad died in 2011.
Mom was the matriarch of our family having loved, led, guided, taught , and encouraged her family of six children (one son , Sandy Smids, deceased in 1958 at age six). She was the cherished mother of Minka and Jake Vriend, Marg and Henry Kooy, Nancy and Harry Okkema, Doreen and Ron Deweger, and Henry and Marie Smids. She was also a dear grandmother to Joel, Deborah, Sarah, Danielle and Peter Vriend; Rodney, Michelle, Philip, Brendan Kooy; Aaron, Leah, Meghan Okkema; Adam, Jordan, Alycia Deweger; and Meghie, Parker, and Riley Smids. She even knew all of her forty-three great- grandchildren. She and Dad were able to attend almost all of the baptisms, graduations, and weddings of her grandchildren.
Mom is survived by her sisters, Lies Wiersma and Els Dekleer and brothers, Hank (Frances), Rimmer (Willy) and Onne (Alfina) Koopmans, and sisters-in-law Sophie Botma, and Gladys DeHaan. She was predeceased by her brothers Geert, Ruurd, and Jen Koopmans, sister Trix Vandyke, and Vrouwkje Holwerda.
Mom was an avid reader, reading the newspaper and church monthly magazines right up to her last few weeks. She loved learning and instilled a love for higher education in all of her children. She was a skilled seamstress and knitter and made many beautiful outfits and afghans for so many of us. She volunteered for over twenty years with Meals on Wheels in Sarnia. She loved her home church and missed it dearly when she moved to London.
Mom loved the Lord and knew the comfort of knowing that she belonged to God and was His child. She had her struggles, but in the end she knew that God was in control and that someday all things will be made new.
We, as a family,mourn her passing but we are assured that she is now at peace with her Lord and Saviour. We will miss you, Mom!
"The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms" Deuteronomy 33:29 ( Mom and Dad's wedding text)
A private family burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Sarnia Christian School or the charity of your choice(cheques only at the funeral home, please).
