Janna "Jenny" Irene Smits

It is with great sadness that the family announces that Janna Smits has left our world with family at her side on October 25th, 2026 at the age of 81. Janna embarked on the adventure of a lifetime when she met and married the love of her life, Aris Smits. Together they immigrated to Canada in 1967. The first 13 years in Canada were spent in the Lethbridge area where Keith, Jennifer and Yvonne were born. In 1980, the family moved to Edmonton when Aris got a job at NAIT. Janna returned to the workforce, as a bookkeeper, where she met Wilma Thys who introduced her to the Dutch Canadian Club. She has been an active member since then. She loved staying connected with people and her Dutch heritage. She and Aris were part of the adult Klompendansers and Janna started a children’s group too. More recently she has been part of the sewing club where she helped make many blankets to donate to charity. One of her favourite things to work on every month was the Dutch Touch newsletter. Janna enjoyed nature, dancing, singing, chair yoga, spending time with friends and family - but most of all travelling. Some of her favourite places to visit were Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. Janna will be remembered for her kindness, calm presence, optimism, quiet wit, community spirit, and the love she had for her family. She is predeceased by her devoted husband of 58 years, Aris and her youngest brother Henk. She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Evert Jan (Tineke) and her sister-in law Gerda (the late Henk); children, Keith (Brandy), Jennifer (Darrell), and Yvonne, granddaughters Becky (Sarah), Sara (Felix), Star (Alex), Amber (Addison), Beth (Julian) and Lucy as well as numerous extended family and friends.

A celebration of Jenny's life will be held at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail Edmonton, AB on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception at the Dutch Canadian Club, 13312 142 Street Edmonton, AB. For friends and family who can not attend in person, a live streaming of the service is available with the following link; https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc5MzQwMjQyNzQzODQwMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.