Mary Lou Verhart

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving wife and mother Mary Lou Verhart on December 26, 2010. Mom was born 63 years ago, just three months after her late parents Angela and Joseph deVrieze landed in Canada. She married her best friend and our dad Bill Verhart, a journey that would last over 43 years and together they raised their four girls; Deb Verhart of Blenheim, Sue Verhart of Chatham, Cheryl & Tom Hohbaum of Kitchener and Brenda & Warren Rumble of Blenheim. We were more than just daughters to our Mom; we were an extension of her. She was our biological and emotional road map. Wherever we were, she was too, either quietly with us in thought or in the passenger seat of our cars. She cared for our children. When we were in school, Mom got involved in the Parent Teacher Association and even became a Trustee for the Kent County Roman Catholic School Board. She supported us in Figure Skating, in bowling and in all of our endeavours. In return we faithfully stood by her during these past five weeks and we were with her when it was time to say goodbye. Mom and Dad were also blessed with four grandchildren Paul, Gabriella, Curtis and Zoë who they love dearly and who love them back. Mom was also a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Church CWL. She will be missed by her sisters Margie & Bert Derikx and Betty & Bruce Aitken as well as her brothers in law and sisters in law Adelaide & John Vercouteren, Pete & Doreen Verhart, Nelly & Clay Reedhead, Henny & Leonard Casier, Jane Verhart and Leo & Pat Verhart as well as several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Mary Lou was also predeceased by her sister in law Anna VanWissen and her mother in law, Anna and her father in law Peter. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. with CWL prayers being held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Mary Lou will be held in St. Mary’s Church, on Thursday December 30, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to remember Mary Lou with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Foundation.