Friday, January 27, 2017 at 12:00 a.m.
Vanderpyl, Mary Anne
Mary Anne Vanderpyl (Smits) passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a brief illness on January 19, 2017 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital. She was 60 years old.
Mary Anne Vanderpyl (Smits) passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a brief illness on January 19, 2017 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital. She was 60 years old.
Mary Anne is survived by Henry, her beloved husband of 39 1/2 years, her six children and two grandchildren: Tim (Jodie) and their boys Grayson and Calder, David, Paul (Vickie), Daniel (Danika), Rebecca and Rachel. She is also survived by her two brothers Arie (Donna) Smits and Peter Smits. She is predeceased by her parents, Jan and Johanna Smits.
Mary Anne was born in Red Deer, Alberta in 1956. She married Henry in 1977 and they were about to celebrate 40 years of a wonderful marriage on April 30th.
Mary Anne was a faithful Christian and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her circle of friends is too large to count, and she always found joy in making connections with people. She had a naturally hospitable heart and enjoyed opening her home for hours of conversation with friends and family. She spent many hours creating family trees and passionate about preserving family history. She was a homeschooling pioneer in Southern Alberta and was an integral part of building a social network of homeschoolers in and around Lethbridge.
Her quiet courage, strength of spirit, creativity and sense of humour will be carried forward by those who knew and loved her. Mary Anne has left us with so many memories and life lessons for her family and friends. We were all so blessed to have her in our lives.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at a viewing on Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 - Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 1:00pm at VICTORY CHURCH, 1.6 KM East of Lethbridge on Hwy #3, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend. The burial service will be on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 1:00pm at Horn Hill Cemetery near Penhold, Alberta (1.5km East of Hwy 2 on Hwy 42). Reception to follow at Antler Hill Community Hall (27471 - Township Road 362, Red Deer County). All are welcome to attend.
. All are welcome to attend.
Guestbook (22)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Mary.
Liebe Familie Vanderpyl, Es ist so traurig. Wir haben sie doch gerade erst kennengelernt Wir wissen wie es ist, wenn ein Stuhl am Tisch leerbleibt. Unser herzliches Beileid. Eure Familie Arendt aus Rossleben Inge Petra, Bernd und Tim B?rbel und Jens Carila, Fritz und Richard Sylvia, Julizs und Vinzent
Such a dear woman of God, who will be greatly missed! Our greatest comfort is knowing that she is with the Lord, Whom she loved and served, and we have the joy of knowing that we will see her again!
Thankyou for being a mother to me, you will be greatly missed. I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven, so until that day....
Dear Vanderpyl family we are so sad to hear about Mary Anne ' s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you work through this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother with us. We will miss Mary Anne and we will treasure the years spent enjoying such a true friend!
Henry and family. May the lingering fragrance of yesterday's memories be a reminder of Mary Ann gentle ways and our Father's tender mercies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Henry and family...so sorry to hear about your loss. You, Mary Anne and your family were a blessing to us when we lived in Coaldale. Thank-you!
I am Eric Gertridge's mother. We are all so sad for your families loss and want you to know we are praying for all of you during this difficult time. We have known David for three years and will say an extra prayer for him as well. We will be at a skating competition this weekend in BC so will be unable to attend the service but we will definitely be there in spirit. Brandi, Tim, Eric and Kyra Gertridge
"We hear tears loudly on this side of heaven, But the cheers are even louder on heaven's shore." -Zig Ziglar; "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15
Henry and Family - we are very sorry for your loss. We pray for peace and comfort in this very difficult time. Mary Anne was so very kind and will be so missed.
What a beautiful woman of God's grace and love. From the first time I met Mary Anne I was welcomed and loved by her; with her kind words and actions she reflected Christ's love so perfectly, so radiantly. My prayers for overshadowing peace and overwhelming love are with the Vanderpyl family in this time of insurmountable loss.
Our love and prayers are with your whole family . Please be assured of our continued support as grieve such a wonderful woman !
Henry I was shocked to see Mary Anne's obituary. It's obviously a very difficult time for you but you're a man of faith so hopefully that carries you through your grief. Though we don't connect often I appreciate our friendship, your relationship with Mary Anne was a great example to me. Our prayers are with you. Andy & Janet Barr
Dear Vanderpyl Family, We're very sorry for your loss. We are blessed to have known your dear wife and mother. She was such a warm, understanding person! We have fond memories of being in your home where the children were clearly encouraged to have friends over, and to pursue what the Lord has placed in them. I know the steadiness in your children is to a great deal a result of her kindness and strength. God bless you as you treasure your memories. Nancy Bowman, For all the family.
Henry, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Praying for God's comfort and strength during these difficult times.
Henry and family, I am so sorry to hear of Mary Anne's passing and am praying for you all. David, your mom loved you and your family so much and it was evident in everything she did for you. I feel blessed to have been a small part of your lives through working with you. God Bless and peace. Love Mrs. Cottingham <3
Henry, our prayers to you and the family ????
Dear Henry and family,our thoughts and prayers are with all,of you . MaryAnne was loved by so many people and will be missed also. We wish you all God's love and comfort .
So sad to hear of Mary Anne's passing, we are some of the many friends she had in Lethbridge, our thoughts are with the wonderful family she left behind. She really was a true and loyal friend and an inspiring christian.
We are so sorry to hear of MaryAnne''s passing. We want to express our love and appreciation to her family for sharing your wonderful mom/wife/grandma/mom-in-law with us, her friends. She had such a tender, loving, kind nature that embraced all she knew. Our Father in Heaven is now embracing her. Our love and prayers go out to the family.
Dear Vanderpyl Family, So sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of times spent with Mary Anne. Am praying for you.
Tim, please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your mother. She was an amazing woman with a huge heart. I watched how she cared for David, how your entire family did. It was an inspiration to see such a loving, devoted family. Praying for peace and comfort as you journey through this loss.
Henry and Family: We are at a loss for your words. Mary Anne or Mee Anne as we all think of her has been in our lives for such a long time. It is sad to think of her gone, but her smile, her gregarious personality and easy laugh will be in our hearts forever. Hold dear to your hearts, because she will always be whispering to you. She loved you all in each your own special way. Love Cathy and Ralph (Dingwall)