Simone De Smit Spetz

Simone Johanna de Smit Spetz passed away early, Monday, February 18^th 2019, with her loving husband, Jerry Spetz and daughter, Alexandra Spetz by her side.

Simone was born in The Hague, Netherlands on March 14, 1952 to the late Wilhelmina de Smit-Terhill and the late Arthur de Smit. She was the eldest of her siblings, Nicolette, Ralph (Erica White), and Danielle (David Webb). Simone and her family moved to Montreal, Canada in 1962 due to her father’s employment with the United Nations. Simone grew up traveling with her family throughout Europe.

As a teenager, Simone attended John Rennie High school. She then continued her studies in Montreal at Loyola College (Concordia University), graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science, and then at McGill University, where she studied comparative politics of developing nations.

In her adult life, Simone followed her sense of adventure, traveling throughout the United States and Europe. She finally settled in Erie, PA and made it her home. She met her husband, Jerry, and they had their daughter, Alexandra in 1989. In Erie, Simone became known as an animal rescue activist, saving hundreds of animals. She worked at Lakeshore Community Services where she helped people with disabilities. Simone always went above and beyond for her family, the clients she worked with, the animals she rescued, and the people she met while travelling.

During all of Simone’s years, she never stopped her activism or traveling. In her recent years she traveled to Greece, Turkey, Italy, Mexico, the Midwest, and more, making many friends along the way. In 2016, Simone joined the thousands of people camped out at Standing Rock to protest the pipeline. Until she became sick, Simone loved to camp and kayak at Willow Bay, at Presque Isle State Park, and at many other places in the Erie region.

Simone’s passion, kindness, strength, and beauty will continue to live on. She will be greatly missed by her daughter, husband, siblings, and every other life that she touched. She was the most amazing mother, wife, sister, and friend that anyone could have asked for. It is her family’s belief that she is soaring high with the angels she felt around her throughout her life, and at eternal peace, having joined her late mother and father in the afterlife.  

Simone cared deeply about helping to make the world a better place. In remembrance of Simone, her family asks that you kindly donate to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Wintergreen Funeral Home, 2532 Norcross Road, Erie.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.