FLORANCE GWENDOLYN SMITH (RAMSAY)

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FLORANCE GWENDOLYN SMITH (nee RAMSAY) Florance Gwendolyn Smith (nee Ramsay) died peacefully on June 9, 2004 in Richmond, BC with her loving husband Leslie R. Smith, by her side. Gwen was born in Winnipeg on February 23, 1920, graduated from Riverbend School for Girls, and attended the University of Manitoba. She married her first husband John Bruce Bracken, Lieutenant Commander, Royal Canadian Navy in 1940, and after the war they raised their three children in Winnipeg. Gwen was very involved in her extended family that included her parents, Robert and Florance Ramsay; her brother Bob, sister-in-law Evelyn Ramsay and their six boys; her brother and sister-in-law Douglas and Rosemary Bracken, and their four children. She will be remembered by her niece and nine nephews from this extended family, for her warm involvement in their early years. In her second and longer marriage to Leslie R. Smith, Gwen enjoyed a very different life - initially entertaining and travelling with a busy CPR executive while living in Toronto and Vancouver, and later retiring in Richmond, BC. She thoroughly enjoyed this vital change of pace, and as well, loved playing bridge with her many friends. She is predeceased by her brothers, Dr. Robert M. Ramsay of Winnipeg and Dr. Beatty H. Ramsay of Pebble Beach, CA. She is the mother of Bruce (Barbara) Bracken of Cincinnati; Wendy (Tony) Kennedy of Salt Spring Island, BC, and Richard (Kathryn) Bracken of Winnipeg. Gwens roles included that of daughter, sister, wife, mother and "Grandma Sheba" to her ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. All those whose lives she has touched will remember her kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humour. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral. The family will gather at the Lake of the Woods for a celebration of her life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2004