It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Odette Victoria Vandermeeren (Gibbons), age 89, of Amherst, formerly of Joggins, NS. Odette passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
Born in Koersel, Belgium, she was a daughter of the late Victor and Eva (Meeus) Kaminski.
A warbride, Odette returned to Canada in 1966 with her Canadian husband. Shortly after learning english through night school in River Hebert, she went to work in a variety of locations. She was a member and Past Noble Grant of the Joggins Rebekah Lodge, and a member of the Joggins Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters Jeannine (Carl) Willems, Belgium and Lillian VanSnick, Brookdale; grandchildren Connie, Brandy and April, great grandchildren, Jessica, Zachary, Mikhail, Daniel, Sophie, and Pyper.
She was predeceased by her husband Alexander Vandermeeren (Gibbons); grandchildren, Peter Willems, Keith VanSnick (Jr.) and Jennifer VanSnick; as well as her brother Armand.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home & Crematorium, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS. A private graveside service in the Ragged Reef Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Donations in memory of Odette may be made to the Children's Wish Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Odette's online memorial at www.furlongjones.ca or through the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home Facebook Page.