Obituary of Dorothy Helen Smith

Dorothy Helen Smith was born on March 7, 1931 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. "Dot" was the fifth child born to Charles and Sarah (Nee: Kenny) Dawson. Mom was always known as "Dot " to her family and friends. "Dot" was very bubbly and giggled a lot. That is what her sisters say. Mom was a child who loved animals and loved to read books. Many of her childhood friends were life long friends. After nursing training, she met the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Walter Ernest Smith had just come home from the war and lived in the same boarding house and they married three months after meeting. Dad always said he wanted a wife who was kind. Dad wanted to move out west and Mom agreed to go after her father passed away. With five kids they moved out west, finding a house that they could rent with running water and power. Dad left to work up north leaving her to handle things on her own, 1000's of miles away from her family. Mom was a city girl and this showed her strength and determination to build a family of her own. She leaned on her new friends for family support and started building her new life. The neighbours had to take her to the hospital for kid number six as Dad was away working again. She finally completed the family when lastly Colin arrived...she was done. During this time raising the family with Dad away working a lot, Mom made a lot of wonderful long friendships that lasted her lifetime. Mom decided once the kids were getting bigger she wanted to go back to work as a nurse. This was something Mom loved and never regretted. Working provided Mom with an independence that she thrived on. She was building new relationships beyond Dad and her children. Mom and Dad had lived in the communities of Dawson Creek, Arras, Trutch and from 1968, Pouce Coupe. With work and seven children she always found time to sew that costume, send some baking to a community event and get supper on the table. Growing up, there were always two or three extras from the neighbourhood around the kitchen table. Mom would always be organized if our whole crew had to go somewhere. All the clothes were pressed and ready, laying on your bed for you. She never complained about anything. If there was a problem, she would have a way around it in minutes. She always put others first before herself. Mom kept busy with cooking, tai-chi and a good book. She loved it when her family dropped in or just a phone call. Mom was a good cook, and loved to prepare delicious meals. Mom liked nothing better than a table full of family and lots or noise. Her door was open for a surprise visit and the coffee pot was always on. Mom was always looking for recipes or trading recipes. When the grandkids began to arrive, she glowed when they came to visit or she when she spoke of them with her friends. Mom looked forward to her trips out east to visit her sisters. It was like a party when they could meet in person or a very long phone call with lots of giggles. We have many memories of a lot of laughter and love from her. Dot was predeceased by her loving Husband; Walter in 2008, Parents; Charles and Sarah, and Grandson; Jonathon. Dot leaves to morn her Children, four Sisters, two Sister-In-Laws and their respective extended families. Dot passed away peacefully with Daughters; Cathy and Barb by her side on Monday July 29, 2013 in Victoria B.C., at the age of 82 years. A graveside service was held on Tuesday August 6, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the River View Cemetery, Pouce Coupe, B.C. Pauline Haycock officiated. A Social Tea celebrating Dot's life followed at the Pouce Coupe Community Centre. For friends so wishing donations may be made in memory of Dot to the BC/Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1480-7th Avenue, Prince George, B.C. V2L 3P2. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium