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LISA MARIE SMIRL
Born: Mar 19, 1975
Date of Passing: Feb 21, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLISA MARIE SMIRL With deep sadness we announce that Lisa passed away on February 21, 2013 at St. Gemma's Hospice in Leeds, UK. Born in Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB, on March 19, 1975, she was the first child of Annamarie and Bruce Smirl. Left to mourn are her husband, Dr. Arran Gaunt, her parents, sisters Jennifer and Ellen Smirl. She also leaves her Leeds family; parents-in-law, Avril and Lawrence Gaunt, sister and brother-in-law Dilaney and Dave Dresser and daughters, brothers and sisters-in-law Joel and Anya Gaunt, and Nick and Anna Gaunt. Many aunts, uncles and cousins and friends will miss her. Lisa grew up and went to school in Notre Dame de Lourdes. She went to Mennonite Collegiate Institute for grades 10 and 11. She graduated from grade 12 at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. Lisa completed a BA Hons (1st class); Political Studies in 1997. She won the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford and London School of Economics (1997 to 2000). She worked at the UN as advisor 2001 to 2006 in Slovakia and in Rwanda. She received her PhD in 2010. Lisa was working at Sussex University as Lecturer when she became sick. She fought cancer with all the energy she brought to everything she undertook and with courage and grace. Lisa and Arran got married on December 29, 2011 in Leeds. Lisa loved her husband, her home, family, her cats, and her many, many friends. Cremation and funeral ceremony took place in Leeds, UK. Burial of ashes will take place at the Oakville, MB Cemetery located about 1 km. north of the junction of the #1 highway and #430 at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, followed by a memorial gathering at the Senior Centre at Second Avenue and Fourth Street in Oakville, MB. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, please donate to the charity of your choice or to pet rescue organizations.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 18, 2013
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Lisa was a grade above me but I remember her well. She and I were on a friendly basis and she invited me to her room a few times to chat. I was impressed by her concern for others and desire to do what was right. She was political and incredibly intelligent. She treated everyone with the same kindness. Lisa was also very beautiful and had long blonde hair. One day she showed up at school with her head shaved. The way she explained it she wanted to be respected for her mind and character - not by conforming to superficial beauty standards. I was incredibly impressed by this act especially because our school was in a small rural town that is highly conserative. After high school I heard she had obtained a Rhodes scholarship and it didn't surprise me a bit. Many will miss her. - Posted by: Karin Wiens (Went to Mennonite collegiate institute together and both lived in dorm.) on: May 19, 2013