MARY OPAL SMITH

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MARY OPAL SMITH Peacefully, on December 17, 2008, at Bethesda Place, in Steinbach, Mary Opal Smith passed away, at the age of 105 years. Although sometimes Opal was heard to say Maybe God has forgotten me , God has now taken Opal away to be with her loved ones. Opal was predeceased by her parents, Prescott and Mary Abbie (nee Howard) Smith; two brothers, Robert Vernard and Thomas Goldwin; three sisters, her beloved Emily Phyllis, Jessie Muriel Ewanchuk (Michael) and Doris, who died in infancy; sisters-in-law, Betty, Marjorie and Rosanne; brother-in-law Michael Ewanchuk; and nephew Donavan Cameron Smith. Left to mourn her passing are her niece Wanda Marie Rose and husband Norman and their children, Marjorie Getz (Terry) and Mary-Jane Rose; her niece Mona Constance Smith; her nephew Robert Prescott Smith and his wife Margaret, their children, Jennifer Spencer (Lance), Julia Smith-Ballard (Ross), and Rob Smith (Lindsay); her nephew David, his wife Claire and children, Terra and Lance (Bobby), Riley, Dylan and Danika; Dorothy Smith-Harris and her children, Rob Smith, Donalea Johnson, Tom Smith, Patricia Binkley, Jeannine Watson; and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Opal was born in Rocklake County, Manitoba in 1903. Her early childhood was spent in Mather and Killarney, where she completed high school. Shortly thereafter she spent two years at the United Church Training School in Toronto, which qualified her to work both as a teacher and social worker. Her first positions were social work positions, at the Relief Department of Winnipeg for two years and then with the Children's Aid Society of Winnipeg, for five years, thereafter. In 1945, Opal left Winnipeg to take a position with the United Church Girls Orphanage in St. John's, Newfoundland. When Opal arrived in Newfoundland her employers gazed upon her in astonishment. Opal was slight, barely five feet tall and her new bosses thought she would not be strong enough to perform her duties. Opal proved them wrong. She not only knew how to make rules, but also how to enforce them. Several years later, Opal was offered her dream job . She was hired by the Federal Department of Indian Affairs to teach on Reserves. She taught school in various Reservations across Canada for 16 years. Her career took her to Kitimat, Campbell River, and Alberni in British Columbia and Big Eddy near The Pas, and Peguis, in Manitoba. Her various careers truly gave Opal the opportunity to see her country from coast to coast. Opal will be remembered fondly for many reasons. She loved her home at 466 Borebank Street, her backyard, her plants and her garden. Actually, Opal was green before green was an issue. She never drove a car and she composted long before this was considered a good and a sustainable thing to do. Although her sister Phyllis, from time to time, would convince Opal to join her on her many sojourns, Opal was often just as happy to stay at home. Opal spent countless hours working on the family history. She kept track of the relatives, regularly exchanging letters with cousins from far and wide. Opal, together with her sister Phyllis, was a supporter and long-time season ticket holder of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Ballet and Manitoba Theatre Centre. Although diminutive in stature, she was the family rock of Gibraltar , always on hand to assist and support when needed. She was a devout member of St. Andrews River Heights United Church and attended regularly until she was unable. She not only gave generously of her time, but also was very committed to helping those less fortunate. Opal sponsored foster children throughout most of her life and she gave generously to various charities. She attributed her longevity to walking every day (exercise), healthy diet (with many cups of tea) and plenty of rest including a short nap every day after lunch. A family memorial service has been held with interment in the family plot at Mather, Manitoba. The family is grateful to Dr. Kaethler and all the caregivers at Bethesda Place, in Steinbach, for the excellent care they bestowed upon Opal. Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2009