Willemyna Adriana "Wilma" Smit

Willemyna Adriana Van Gend Smit, lovingly known as Wilma, peacefully returned home on March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was just shy of her 98th birthday. Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on March 24, 1928, Wilma married David G. Smit on July 14, 1948. The couple immigrated to the United States in 1950 and were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 5, 1951. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 28, 1952, and remained devoted to their faith throughout their lives. They were blessed with three daughters, Peggy, Rosemary, and Dorothy. Just before Dave’s passing, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Wilma served faithfully in many positions in the Church, including Young Women’s President and Relief Society President. She loved singing in the ward choir and was a dedicated visiting teacher. She and Dave found great joy in serving two missions together—one to the Netherlands from 1988 to 1990 and another to Belgium from 1999 to 2000. Upon returning from their second mission, they served as temple workers at the Jordan River Utah Temple for 11 years.

In her professional life, Wilma began in the children’s department at JC Penney before working for 13 years at LaRies, a boutique women’s clothing store in Murray, Utah. She later became the women’s sportswear buyer for ZCMI, where she worked for 17 years. Her career sparked a lifelong passion for travel, taking her to New York City and the Orient. After retirement, she and Dave, along with their son David and his wife Sue, enjoyed cruising to destinations throughout the Caribbean, Australia, and the Panama Canal.

Wilma will be remembered as a great cook who loved hosting family meals and gatherings. She kept an impeccably organized home and took great pride in having the cleanest windows in Utah. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always found a treat waiting in her pantry, and she delighted in hosting them each summer for swimming and pizza parties at the clubhouse. Above all, she cherished her husband, daughters, and extended family.

Wilma is survived by her three daughters, Peggy Seare, Rosemary (Mike) Shepard, and Dorothy (Mike) Chournos; her three sisters, Ann, Virginia, and Emmy; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arie and Emily VanGend; her husband, David G. Smit; her son-in-law, Dick Seare; her brother, David VanGend; and her granddaughter, Monica Shepard.