VELMA AGNES SMITH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

VELMA AGNES SMITH

1922 – 2025

Velma Agnes Smith passed away peacefully in her sleep at Oakview Place in Winnipeg on August 12, 2025, at the age of 103.

Velma was born at the family farm in the RM of Hamiota, near Crandall. She was the second youngest of 10 children born to John and Rachel Smith. Left to mourn her death are 23 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and great-great-great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Rachel, her six sisters and their spouses: Pearl Kidd (Cecil), Rena Smith (Earl), Eileen Tennant (Everett), Margaret Caldwell (Lorne), Alice Johnston and Olive Smith, her three brothers and their spouses: Newton (Betty), Herb (Violet) and Jack (Peggy), three nieces: Marlene Murray, Anita Kelly and Gaylene Johnson, five nephews: Melvin Smith, Garry Kidd, Herb Johnston, Dennis Johnston and Jack Johnston.

She attended school in Crandall and Hamiota. Following completion of Grade 12, she ventured off to the big city of Winnipeg to complete a business course at Success Business College. She started work at Great West Life in October 1941, where she remained until her retirement in June 1983. She started as an insurance analyst and was instrumental in the transition from manual records to the first mainframe computer (which took up a whole room)!

Velma and her sister Olive never had children, but their extended family were very important to them. Over the years, they made many trips to Hamiota, Brandon and Toronto visiting family. They also enjoyed many years of watching their nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and even great-great-nieces and nephews in a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, hockey and curling.

They had a wide circle of friends and stayed active in curling and bowling for many years. When Lorna was in nurse’s training at the Grace they even went roller skating with her. Both Velma and Olive were avid Blue Bomber fans. Even at the nursing home, they rarely missed a Bombers game. They also enjoyed many trips on their own and with family or friends to a variety of places including San Francisco, England, San Diego, Hawaii and many other locations. A highlight for them was a trip they took with all five of their sisters to Palm Springs.

Velma’s longevity and mobility was probably partially attributed to the walking she did her entire life. For most of her career at Great West Life she walked to work from their apartment on Stradbrook Avenue. The day before she passed away, she was walking up and down the hallways at Oakview. When Olive first bought a car, Velma didn’t think it was necessary but eventually she said she would help by buying the winter tires and then agreed to share on the purchase of their second car. Velma continued to drive until she was 96 years old and sold their car in 2018.

It has been a long stretch for Velma, since the passing of her sister Olive in December. They spent most of their lives together until Olive moved to Oakview in 2017. Velma remained in their condo until she was almost 101 and then reunited with Olive at Oakview in 2023.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a joint graveside service for Velma and Olive at the Hamiota Cemetery, Hamiota, MB on Thursday, September 18 at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will follow at the Hamiota Community Centre.

For those so desiring, a donation may be made in Velma’s memory to Hamiota Heath Centre, payable to Prairie Mountain Health, PO Box 751, Hamiota, MB R0M 0T0 or to a charity of your choice.

Campbell Funeral Home, Hamiota in care of the arrangements. www.campbellfuneralhome.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2025