GIOVANNA LUCIA SMITH

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GIOVANNA (GENI) LUCIA SMITH Peacefully on May 21, 2015, Geni Smith (nee Giacomin) passed away at Calvary Place Personal Care Home. Geni was predeceased by her husband, James McAdam Smith, brother, Leno and sisters Maria, Severina, Eleanora and Ida and her parents Giovanni and Vittoria Giacomin (nee Tonon). She is survived by her son James (Barbara Hamilton), daughter Serena Kraayeveld, Dan Kraayeveld and nieces and nephews: Louis Giacomin (Barbara), Donna Marshall, Rayleen De Luca (Vince), Len Giacomin, Peter Douglas (Barbara) and Patti Douglas (Tim Reid). Geni was born in Winnipeg and raised in the North End, going to St. John's High School where she excelled at sports and captained many teams. The Giacomin family home on Bannatyne Avenue was the gathering place for Sunday dinners and raucous games of Canasta or Rummoli for many years. After high school Geni began working in retail grocery stores and often expressed the view that everyone would benefit from the experiences gained in being part of the service industry. She became one of the first female managers of a Shop-Easy store in Winnipeg. She married Jim in 1940 and continued to work throughout the war years. After the birth of their son, Geni retired from the grocery store, but often helped out at the Smith's Bake Shoppe on Sargent Avenue. Family was important to Geni and Jim. When her mother-in-law passed away prematurely in 1944, Geni and Jim invited his father to come to live with them. Together they bought a bungalow on Sargent Avenue which was their home for almost 50 years and the backdoor was always open. Grandfather passed away in 1962 and a few years later, Geni's sister, Sevy, came to live with them. The family knew that whenever you needed help, Geni and Jim could be counted on to be there. Geni was a natural leader, with a tendency to eventually run everything. In spite of never being a member of the congregation, Geni ran the Harstone United Church women's sandwich circle for many years. She would convert the basement rec room into a factory floor and she and the ladies would turn out thousands of fancy sandwiches each year. She made some great friendships through her volunteer activities over the years. Shortly before Jim's retirement, they acquired a lot on Pinawa Bay and had an old house moved onto the property. They cleared the land, planted grass and created a wonderful summer cottage where they enjoyed many summers with family and friends. The dock went into the river on the May long weekend and came out at Thanksgiving. Geni became a gardener and was particularly proud of her flowers. She undertook to sow June daisies into the ditches from Winnipeg to Lac du Bonnet, and very nearly succeeded. Prior to his death in 1992, Jim had listed their names for an apartment at Betelstadur Housing Co-operative and when an opening came up a couple of years later, Geni decided the time had come to move. She had the house sold within two weeks and then arranged for the sale of excess furniture and Jim's considerable collection of tools. She organized and supervised a huge garage sale, using her considerable retail skills and love of meeting people. Geni's last few years were spent at Calvary Place Personal Care Home, where she has received exceptional care. She and her family appreciate all that the staff has done to make these good years for her. Geni loved to meet visitors and was proud to give them a "tour" of her room and her needlepoint pictures. Geni greeted everyone with a smile. She celebrated her 100th birthday on September 15, 2014 in the company of her children, nieces and nephews and family and friends. She lived a long and cheerful life and absolutely believed that the only acceptable response to the question "How are you?" was "I'm fine." We know that we will miss her and that we were very fortunate that she was part of our lives for so long. In keeping with Geni's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held in celebration of her life at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should friends wish, please consider making a donation in Geni's memory to Calvary Place Personal Care Home or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2015