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Dr. Kathryn SMITS

FUNERAL HOME

Davis Funeral Home - Mount Eden

400 Dominion Road

Mount Eden, Auckland

Kathryn SMITS Obituary

Smits, Dr. Kathryn. Born March 16, 1935. Passed away on July 23rd, 2025. Retired Associate Professor. One of New Zealand's esteemed academics in Germanic languages. Born in the Netherlands. Passed away peacefully in Auckland, New Zealand, aged 90 years. Cherished sister of Harry, Helen, Hanneke, and Paul (all deceased). Adored aunt of Jennifer and Andrea in Auckland. Beloved aunt of her nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces in NZ, Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Treasured family friend of the Gidwani's. Known for her generosity to friends and the community. The family thank the staff at Summerset Village at Monterey Park, Hobsonville. A service for Kathryn will be held at the Central Park Chapel, Davis Funerals, on Thursday, 31 July, at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John Ambulance would be appreciated. Communications C/- Davis Funerals PO Box 56013, Auckland 1446

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Published by The New Zealand Herald on Jul. 30, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn SMITS

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6 Entries

P.

July 31, 2025

Condoleances aan de familie Smits. Moge zij rusten in vrede. p

Martin Sutton

July 31, 2025

So sorry to learn the news about my former colleague Kathryn.

Andrea Smits

July 31, 2025

My dear Aunt Kathryn, you will always be in my heart. Rest peacefully, love, Andrea

James Braund

July 31, 2025

Very sorry to hear about Kathryn´s passing. Kathryn taught me German (modern and medieval) at the University of Auckland in the mid-1980s, and she remained a large part of my life for the next decade and a half through our work within the University´s Department of Germanic Languages and Literature and also for the Auckland Goethe Society. I am indebted to her in a great many ways, and probably more than I will ever realise. Together with her former teacher, the late Professor John Asher, Kathryn made Auckland an unlikely but internationally renowned centre for medieval German studies, and it remained so for many years. New Zealand has just lost a great teacher and scholar.

Stephen Jacobi

July 30, 2025

An inspirational teacher and a brilliant linguist. Remembered by her former student. Ruhe in Frieden.

Andrea Smits

July 30, 2025

To my dear Aunt Kathryn, a life well-lived, you will be remembered for your generosity and grace. You will always be in my heart. Love, Andrea Smits

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for Kathryn SMITS

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Funeral services provided by:

Davis Funeral Home - Mount Eden

400 Dominion Road, Mount Eden