MARY ELIZABETH SMITH (BOWES)

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MARY ELIZABETH SMITH (nee BOWES) We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Mary at 7:15 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2005 at Surrey Memorial Hospital. She was predeceased by son, Laird William; mother, Mary and father, John W.; sisters, Freda and Grace; brothers, John, David and Leonard. Survived by her husband, Kenneth A.; sons, Craig (Elaine) and Grant (Lea) and darling granddaughter Jessika Katariina; sisters, Doris Pearson, Brandon, MB and Iris (Bob) Cumming, Winnipeg, MB; grandsons, Chris and Bryan (Angie) Gregorowich and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Steven, Austin and Alicia of the Fraser Valley area. Born in Middlesbrough, England, March 22, 1925 she celebrated her first birthday on board ship to Canada. Arriving in 1926 the family settled in the farming areas of Balmoral-Stonewall, Manitoba. In 1941 she joined Eaton's, Winnipeg store as an elevator operator and became a cosmetician there until married to Ken in 1953. In her early years at Eaton's she was a star softball player, bowler and skier. 1963 saw a transfer to Edmonton for six years and a 1969 move to Vancouver to live in Surrey. With the boys involved in North Surrey Minor and Surrey Rams Juvenile and Junior Football from 1970 on Mary and Ken operated the Surrey Rams bingo from 1973-1981. Mary took a leave from football to work at Woodwards, Guildford and the Bay in the China department until retirement at age 70 in 1995. She devoted her life to her family and friends and will be sorely missed by them as well as by former work associates. No service by request. In lieu of flowers donations to Mary's last home - Cherington Place, 13453-111A Ave., Surrey, BC, V3R 2C5 will be gratefully received. Our family wishes to extend gratitude and thanks to the kind, caring friends at Cherington Place and to the attention, care and concern of the doctors, nurses and staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Bless You!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2006