Yvonne Heloise Smart

YVONNE HELOISE (FOUCHE) SMART Born in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 26, 1921. Died in Victoria, B.C. May 3, 2017, aged 96 years. She was the second daughter of Peter and Susan (Wilson) Fouche. Vonne was pre-deceased by her parents and her sister Daphne Fairon and her brother Godfrey Fouche and her granddaughter Allison Muser.
Left wondering how life will be without her are her daughters, Lynne Gunn (Hamish), Gill Smart and Sue Smart and grandchildren Johnathan Gunn, Lindsay (Gunn) Davies (Stephen), Pip Muser, Julien Muser, Josh Smart and Kate Smart (Rob Knox). Her great grandchildren are Alyd Davies, Michaela Davies, Benjamin Gunn, Lily Muser, Ethan Muser, Bronwyn Knox and Thomas Knox. Vonne grew up surrounded by a large extended family in Kensington, Johannesburg - she had 34 cousins, 17 of whom lived within a block of her home. The close relationships she forged as a young person were important to her throughout her life, though none surpassed the special bond she shared with her much more ladylike sister, Daphne. All her life Vonne valued her family above all else. An exuberant, mischievous character, Vonne was a leader at school and excelled at sports - field hockey, diving and swimming.
An early feminist, Vonne was a single parent to her three daughters during a socially conservative era with little regard for women like her. Ever courageous, she supported her family through her prodigious accounting skills, always ready for a bit of fun with her eclectic, zany group of friends and a laugh at the quirks of humanity. Vonne loved books and the performing arts and made whatever sacrifices were necessary for her children to learn to love them too. She had a keen interest in people of all ages and backgrounds and was the recipient of many heart-felt confessions. Vonne was a great wit and an inveterate story-teller and delighted in the perceptions and play of young people, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Vonne immigrated to Canada in 1982 and for a number of years after that enjoyed having homes in both South Africa and Oakville, Ontario until she eventually 'settled down' to live with her family in Toronto and later in Victoria.
We will think of you, dear Vonne, whenever we hear a funny anecdote or need someone to tell our secrets to.