HOULTON - It’s with sadness in our hearts to say good-bye to our Sister Alida “Lidy” Mary Sowers (Veerkamp). With family by her side she passed away peacefully on January 7, 2023. She fought a long and courageous battle of CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia) for many years without complaint.

Lidy was born August 13, 1957 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. She was the first child (of 8) of Anthony (Tom) and Euphemia (Femy) Veerkamp, also being the first grandchild of Alex and Maria Scholten.

She was predeceased by her husband ”Big” Bob (Merle) Sowers in 2009, step son Joey Sowers in 2019, Brother-In-Law Wayne Sowers, her mother Euphemia (Femy) Veerkamp in 2008, and sister-in-law Janine (Tony) Veerkamp in 2015

Lidy is survived by her Father Anthony (Tom) Veerkamp, Brother Tony (Donna) Veerkamp, sisters Mary-Lou (Harvie) Mowat, Cathy (Bill) Veerkamp-Wallace, Irene (Troy) Veerkamp-Dorcas, Elise Gorman, Nancy (Todd) Legere, and Diane (Vincent) Boardman. She will also be remembered by her Nieces Krystal, Courtney, Jessica, Sarah, Chelsey and Christie, along with her Nephews Cody, Wesley, Quinn, Marcus, Michael and Conor and her Great Nephews Owen and Henry and Great Nieces Emerlee, Caroline and Eloise. Her Stepson “Little” Bob (August) Sowers, and Brother-in-law’s Dale (Jane)Sowers and Phil (Joan) Sowers.

Lidy was also a special Godmother to Jessica Gorman and Haley Goodwin along with being a very loving and caring Dog Mom to her best friend, PJ. The family would like to give special thanks to her best friend Colleen (Freddy) Goodwin, and her daughters Haley (Thom) Goodwin, Katie (Blake) Daly and Tara (David) Fletcher for being there for her during this troubling time. Lidy’s family would to give special thanks for all the compassionate care and assistance that was selflessly given to Lidy while she lived in Island Falls, Maine, USA. Thank-you Glen (Andrea) Ward & family, and to Norman & Michael McCarther.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses and doctors of the Houlton Regional Hospital and the Eastern Maine Medical Centre in Bangor Maine, USA, for their kind and compassionate care. Also to Lidy’s niece, Patty Sowers, who worked with Lidy and took special care of Lidy’s family, and friends during her stay at the Houlton Regional Hospital.

Lidy was a nurse for over 30 years and was known to be an extremely caring, giving and amazing nurse. Lidy was also known to be the “nurse with the hat” and was highly respected amongst her colleagues and peers. She had a very kind soul who took great pleasure in giving to others whether it was in gifts, advice, or her time.

Lidy and Bob loved their RV and lived, worked, and played in Florida, Arizona and Maine, as well as right here at home in Fredericton. She was an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Rusty Wallace of Nascar Racing

She was loved by many and made friends easily, without judgement, and made others feel as if they have been a long-time friend. God has called her home to be with Bob, Joey and our Mom. The suffering and struggles have now finally ended for Lidy. Lidy battled her CCL with a smile on her face and love in her heart. Lidy will be greatly missed at our Christmas gatherings, family reunions, Freddie’s “jamming” sessions, and the many card games we played.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Seymour Memorial Cemetery, 112 Kingsley Road, Estey’s Bridge, New Brunswick, E3G 6E4 on May 30, 2023 at 2:00pm. There will be a reception to follow at the Kingsley Community Center, 58 Kingsley Road, Estey’s Bridge, New Brunswick, E3G 6B8.

In honour of Lidy’s love for animals, donations can be made to the Oromocto SPCA or The Atlantic Wildlife Institute (Cookville, NB)