Submited by: Dan Rich
Emilie P. Vaerwyck
March 14, 1909 - Nov. 9, 2002
South Bend Tribune 11/11/2002
Emilie P. Vaerewyck, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 9, 2002. Her last few days were spent in her home surrounded by family and friends. Emilie passed away with the loving care of her two granddaughters who came from out of town to ease her final days. Kathryn, a hospice nurse from Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona and Cheri, a senior home care administrator from Olathe, Kansas. Without the two of them , her passing would have been more difficult for her daughters, Barbara and Diana. Emilie, also known as mom, grandma and GG, was a very strong, faithful, generous and loving Christian woman. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. We are reassured and comforted with the knowledge that she is at peace as she celebrates eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven. Emilie was born in Brussels, Belgium on March 14, 1909. She came to this country as an infant with her parents and siblings.
On September 14, 1926 she married Frank Vaerewyck. She was the proud and loving mother of five children. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.
Following Frank Vaerewyck's death she worked at Robertson's Department Store making beautiful drapes and bed spreads. An accomplished seamstress, she made clothes for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many of her family members have a quilt made by her. Emilie lived with her daughter, Diana and her husband, Neal, for the past few years. She liked to go to estate and garage sales. They took her driving every weekend just to see the countryside. She was an avid reader. She also loved her flowers, especially the roses, iris and violets. Emilie made the best salads, salad dressing, strawberry jam and her favorite Belgium Vegetable soup. She loved her music CD's. Her favorites were the old time songs from the 40's and 50's. Jewelry was her passion and she had lots of it. She collected dolls and small glass shoes. Emilie loved animals and particularly enjoyed her own kitten "Precious". Emilie enjoyed spending time with her family & friends. Playing Skip-Bo and Solitaire became her favorite pastimes. She prayed the rosary every night.
Emilie kept her sense of humor right until the end. We have many fond memories; she made sure of that. Emilie was very special and will be missed by all of us. We thank the Lord for the many years she had with us and the lives she touched. Emilie was preceded in death by her siblings Elvira Braecklaere, Hector VerVaet, Jennie Van Vooren, Maggie Mostert, Semone Stroobrandt, Bill VerVaet; her husband, Frank Vaerewyck who died October 4, 1955; her daughter Betty Vaerewyck; and her granddaughters Cynthia Reeves and Peggy Vaerewyck Bolin. Emilie is survived by her daughters, Diana (Neal) Barrett of Mishawaka and Barbara (Robert) Reeves of Sun Lakes, Az. And her sons, Richard (Barbara) Vaerewyck of Mishawaka and Robert (Mary) Vaerewyck of South Bend. Her grandchildren Alan (Makesha) Mueller, Rick (Polly) Reeves, Cheri (Matt) Mathis, Kathy Moore, Therese Simpson, Gary (Cheryl) Vaerewyck, Brian (Julie) Vaerewyck, Leslie (Tom) Kelly, Mike (Barbara) Vaerewyck and Linda (Tom) Huser; her 19 Grandchildren; her very special friend Grace Smith; and her "adopted family" Dawn, Ashley and Stephany Tubbs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday November 12 is St. Bavo's Catholic Church Mishawaka. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today in the Hahn Funeral Home 505 W. 8th Street Mishawaka, with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. In Lieu of Flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County 111 Sunnybrook Ct. South Bend, IN 46637.