With family by her side, Madeleine Sidonie De Smet (nee Verstraeten), formerly of Swan Lake MB, passed away at the Notre Dame Foyer on Tuesday July 30, 2019 at the age of 96 years. Madeleine and her twin sister Germaine were born in Bruxelles, Manitoba on June 24, 1923. She was a daughter to Prudence (Cabernel) and Abraham Verstraeten. They had an older sister Elodie (Roels) and a younger brother, Albert. Like many others in that time, Madeleine attended the convent school in Bruxelles until Grade 8, walking the two plus miles back and forth daily. She then remained at home to help on the farm, with the cows, the haying, the garden, making bread, sewing, etc. At the age of 23, Madeleine married Maurice De Smet, and moved to the St. Alphonse/Cypress River area where they lived on the De Smet home farm. Their life was busy with a mixed farming operation, milking cows, raising chickens plus all the gardening and cooking that a farm wife did day in and day out. She also loved to sew and made many outfits for herself and her children. They were involved in the St. Alphonse Catholic Church and community. Maurice and Madeleine raised 6 children, and now have 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In 1994, they moved to a small house in Swan Lake and unfortunately, Maurice passed away the next year. Madeleine remained active as a visitor to the elderly, she also loved playing cards, and enjoyed knitting, crochet, crafts and reading. Madeleine spent much time in daily prayer and mass. In 2014, Madeleine moved to the Notre Dame Foyer. Much thanks to the staff of the Foyer for the wonderful care and support that she was given during her 5 years there. Also we send much appreciation to Rita, Jennifer and Mary who were special companions to her during that time. She leaves to mourn her passing her six children - Robert (Josiane) De Smet of St. Claude MB, Donald (Lorraine) De Smet of Swan Lake MB, Elaine (Denis) Chabbert of Birds Hill MB, Ken (Bev) De Smet of Stonewall MB, Edward (Alayne) De Smet of Cypress River MB and Edna (John) Van De Kerckhove of Swan Lake MB; Grandchildren Kelly Chabbert, Carly (Ken) Zelinsky, Jordan (Angie) Chabbert, Shannon (Pat) Comte, Melissa (Sean) Root, Alysia (Matt) Frankemolle, Meaghan Van De Kerckhove, Courtney (Jerrod) Wilson, Sabrina (Nick) Sanders, Paige Van De Kerckhove, Kelvin Cousin and Heather Cousin De Smet; Great grandchildren Cole, Luke, Scott, Jesse, Lincoln, Charlotte, Alex, Davis, Aven, Sandra, Katrina and Felix. She also leaves to mourn 3 sisters-in-law Alida Verstraeten, Celina Lippens and Clarice Wytinck as well as numerous extended relatives. Madeleine was predeceased by husband Maurice and great-grandchild Madison, by twin sister Germaine Gagnon, sister Elodie Roels, brother Albert Verstraeten and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law. A lovely Funeral Mass was said on Friday August 2, 2019 at 10:00 am in the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Swan Lake MB, with Father Vincent Lusty as Celebrant, accompanied by Father Joshua Gundrum, Father Alain Guenou and Father Peter Ngu Le. Friends that so desire, memorial donations can be made to the St. Martin of Tours Parish, Swan Lake MB R0G 2S0.

Service Details.

Service

When: Friday, August 2nd, 2019 10:00am Location: St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Address: . SWAN LAKE, MB

Interment

Location: St. Martin of Tours Parish Cemetery Address: . SWAN LAKE, MB

Reception

Location: Swan Lake Community Hall Address: . SWAN LAKE, MB