PEARL SMITH (PAULENKO)

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PEARL SMITH (PAULENKO) April 11, 1931 - July 14, 2018 July 14, 2018 ended an era for our family with the passing of Pearl Smith. We said goodbye to a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She lived a beautifully fulfilled life. Pearl was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Edward in 2007, and her eldest son, Glen in 2017. She is survived by her daughter Glenda Dragan (Don) and their children, Kiera, Robyn and Kimberly Dragan; and her son Gordon Smith (Rae-Ann) and their children, Stephen Friesen, Andrew Smith (Megan Kelly) and Graeme Smith (Claire Russell). Mom was one of 14 children born and raised on a farm in Shell Valley, Manitoba to Eli and Pauline Paulenko. When she was 15, Mom began making her way through life and went to work at a tourist resort in Hudson, Ontario. She later moved to Winnipeg and began work in the cafeteria at the Winnipeg Free Press at 300 Carlton St. It wasn't long before she caught the eye of a handsome Pressman Ed Smith. They were married on December 29, 1953 and left immediately afterwards for Toronto where Ed had taken a job at the Toronto Star Daily Newspaper. This is where they began their family. Pearl entered Toronto General Hospital on January 27, 1956 to give birth to her first child and low and behold, there were two. Glen and Glenda were born six minutes apart. In 1958, Mom and Dad were off again but this time to Pacific Press in Vancouver where Gordon was born on July 19, 1959. The young family eventually moved back to Winnipeg in 1961 and spent a year living in an apartment on Watt Street. In June of 1962, Mom and the family moved into their newly built house at 2051 Agar Avenue in Bird's Hill where she remained until shortly before her passing. Mom made many friends in the area but her closest and dearest friendship was with her neighbour, Jackie Waddell, of 56 years. They were always there for each other through thick and thin and watched as each other's families grew. Once the kids were old enough, Mom went to work for Ludwick Catering where she developed an unbreakable bond with the entire Ludwick family which has held to this day. Rose and Carol were two very special people in Mom's life as was Vicki Horbas with whom Mom shared a very dear and lasting friendship. Pearl became part of the community and loved her time spent being involved with the United Church Women's Auxiliary and all the close friends she made. Mom was the epitome of what a mother should be. She woke every day with only one thought in mind and that was how to care and tend to her family's needs. Mom always loved to bake and cook huge family meals. This is where she derived most of her joy in life. Just having the family together at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter and all other occasions where she could indulge in the intimacy of having her family close. Mom was also extremely resilient to many life altering situations she faced. Such as the loss of her eldest son Glen, the loss of her eye sight which forced her to lose her independent living and a knee replacement. She was a person who stepped up to these challenges in life and met them head on. She had a phenomenal memory and never forgot a birthday, anniversary or appointment. The family would like to take this time to thank Dr. Dennis Caners for all the years he devoted to Mom's care. You may have been the family doctor but she cared for you as if you were family. A huge thank you to all the staff at Concordia Hospital on the 3rd floor as well as all the staff on N1 for your care of Mom during her stays. Finally, we cannot thank the staff enough at Middlechurch Home for all of the loving care and compassion you showed Mom in her final weeks and days. This will not be forgotten. A celebration of Mom's life will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St., West St. Paul. Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Graveside interment in the Garden of Devotion and a lunch for all to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 21, 2018

PEARL SMITH (nee PAULENKO) April 11, 1931 - July 14, 2018 Pearl passed away Saturday, July 14, at Middlechurch Home, at the age of 87. Service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Glen Eden Funeral Home. Viewing at 9:00 a.m. Service at 10:00 a.m. Full obituary to follow in Saturday's paper.
Publish Date: Jul 19, 2018

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 19, 2018, Jul 20, 2018, Jul 21, 2018