IVINA SMITH

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IVINA SMITH It is with deep sadness that the children of Ivina Smith announce that, after a lengthy illness, Mom passed away on March 10, 2008. Mom was predeceased by our Dad, her loving husband of 55 years, Fred Smith on December 21, 2002. Her memory is cherished by her six children, Philip (Heather), Jennifer (Mike), Barbara (Loran), Susan (Andre), Gwyn (Rose), and Robert (Terri). Fondly remembered as Nanny by her grandchildren, Christopher, Pamela, Allison; Nicole, Michelle; Daniel, Marc, Marie; Jason, Jenna and Julia and great-grandchildren, Taylor, Liam, Brayden, Portia, Ashley and Jeremy. Born into a family of coal miners on January 17, 1926 in Pontllanfraith, South Wales, Mom was the youngest of eight children. During the Second World War, at the age of 14, she moved to London to live and work with her sister, Corrie. Mom had many a beau in her youth but it was our dad who captured her heart on her return to Wales. They were married on October 18, 1947. With four kids in tow, they immigrated to Canada in September of 1957, settling in Winnipeg where Mom's sister Maude and family lived. In 1967, Mom and Dad joined the St. Vital branch of the Royal Canadian Legion where they formed many close and lasting friendships and where they would dance almost every Saturday night. Every Sunday in the summer, Mom would pack a thermos of Kool Aid and sandwiches and the whole family would head for the beach with the promise of an ice-cream cone on the way home. Any ride in the car was an opportunity for a family sing-a-long, led by Mom and Dad's beautiful voices with their Welsh lilt. Our first priority in arriving was finding a spot of shade for Mom, who would sit under a tree, with her huge sun hat, watching us in the water and calling out to us if we went too deep. For three weeks, every summer, the family would go to the Whiteshell, where we would camp. Only as adults could we appreciate just how much work this really was for a mother of six, especially as she spent many days before leaving, baking our favourite cookies to munch on as we played cards endlessly on those wonderful summer evenings. Mom was very competitive, whether she was bowling with Auntie Maude, or playing snooker, darts and bingo at the Legion. Family get-togethers always involved games and Mom loved to play charades, especially if she beat our Dad. Her love of the theatre, movies and music, especially hymns, has been passed on to her children and grandchildren. Above all else, our Mother loved her family, who were her greatest pride and her greatest joy. We will always remember her beauty, her voice and her clear blue eyes, which showed all. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Meadowood Manor for their care and compassion and for seeing, even with Alzheimer's, what a unique and wonderful woman Mom was. I had a dream, we stood upon a hill The good earth wrapped us like a smock And fairy things pulled at the strings, To release this earthly lock. But we turned to sand And the ocean's hand Pushed us to the shore Where with bucket and spade The children played With us forever more. Cremation has taken place and we would like to thank Wojcik's Funeral Chapel for all the care they have shown with the arrangements. Our family will celebrate Mom's life at the beach with a family picnic in the summer, when we will once again all be together.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2008