Berendina Charlotta "Charlotte" van Benthem DeMerchant

Passed away at Freeport Health Centre on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at the age of 85. Beloved wife of the late Lewis Amos DeMerchant (1980). Loved mother of Marcella (Richard) of Kitchener, Andre (Brenda) of Cambridge and Ronald (Sandy) of Port Hope. Also survived by her grandchildren Christine, Jennifer and Louis, and great grandchildren Nicholas, Samuel and Elizabeth. Predeceased by her parents Willem and Berndina (van Maanen) van Benthem and a brother and sister of the Netherlands. Will be sadly missed by her friends Betty, Rose and Martina and many kind neighbours. Born May 17, 1925 in Arnhem, Holland and came to Canada in the summer of 1946 on the Queen Mary as one of the first Dutch War Brides to arrive in New Brunswick, Canada. Special thank you to the nurses and staff on the 5th floor at St. Mary’s hospital and the UT3 Palliative Care of Freeport Health Centre for their kindness during her short stay on their units. Thank you to Dr. Stobie and Dr. Hentschel for their care over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lung Association are appreciated. Visitation will be held at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W. on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation to follow.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ratzbechtelfuneralhome.com.