Willemyna Adriana Van Gend Smit

Our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister Willemyna Adriana Van Gend Smit, peacefully returned home on March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Wilma was just shy of her 98th birthday.

Wilma was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 24, 1928. Shortly after her marriage to David G. Smit on July 14, 1948, they immigrated to the United States in 1950. Dave and Wilma were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 5, 1951. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 28, 1952, and both continued to have a strong and everlasting testimony of Jesus Christ. They were blessed with three daughters, Peggy, Rosemary, and Dorothy. Just before Dave’s passing, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Wilma served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which included Young Women’s President and Relief Society President. She loved singing in the Ward choir, and was always a dedicated visiting teacher. Dave and Wilma found great joy in serving two Church missions, one to the Netherlands from 1988 to 1990, and one to Belgium from 1999 to 2000. Upon returning from their second mission, they served faithfully as temple workers at the Jordan River Utah Temple for 11 years.

Wilma began her love for the fashion industry at JC Penney’s for a short while in the Children’s Department. As the girls got older, she had the opportunity to work at LaRies, a boutique women's clothing store located in Murray, Utah for 13 years. When LaRies closed, she later became the women’s sportswear clothing buyer for ZCMI where she worked for 17 years.

Wilma developed a passion for travel during her years at ZCMI which took her on many trips to New York City and the Orient – and her adventures didn’t stop there! Upon retirement, Dave, Wilma, David, and Sue discovered “cruising” and would travel the world to such places as the Caribbean, Australia, and the Panama Canal.

Wilma will be remembered for being a great cook who loved hosting family meals and get togethers. Wilma was always organized, and had the cleanest house and windows in the state of Utah! She took pride in always having a treat in her pantry for her grandchildren and great grandchildren when they came to visit. Each summer she loved hosting them for swimming and pizza parties at the club house. She had a true devotion and love for her husband, daughters, and extended family.

Wilma is survived by her three daughters Peggy Seare, Rosemary (Mike) Shepard, and Dorothy (Mike) Chournos, and her three sisters Ann, Virginia, and Emmy. Her legacy includes 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Wilma is preceded in death by Arie and Emily VanGend (parents), David G. Smit (husband), Dick Seare (son-in-law), David VanGend (brother), and Monica Shepard (granddaughter).

Welcome home Mom - well lived, well loved, and well earned. Welcome back to the arms of your sweetheart Ge!

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Heart of Home Hospice and caregivers for the excellent care they provided. A special thank you for walking this difficult road with us.

Services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S) in Sandy, Utah, on March 21, 2026, with a viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., funeral at 11:30 a.m., with the graveside services to follow. The funeral will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.