Christine Smith-Windsor (neé Kravski)

Christine Smith-Windsor passed away unexpectedly at her home in Ottawa, ON, on 22 August, 2024 at the age of 82. She was born on May 31, 1942, in Fernie, B.C., to John and Sophia Kravski, as the youngest of three children. She graduated from the Saskatchewan Hospital in Weyburn, SK, in 1967 with a diploma in Psychiatric Nursing and was married in 1968. After moving to Ottawa she started working at the Royal Ottawa Hospital and had two boys who she loved dearly.

Christine was a devoted mother, beloved sister, aunt and friend who will be deeply missed. She insisted on supporting her young children’s pre-school development in every way possible and would regularly read bedtime stories until they fell fast asleep. In the autumn, to take a well-deserved break from driving the boys to various activities, she would visit her family in Castlegar, B.C. and relax at the local hot spring resort with her best childhood friend. Although Christine baked with scientific precision and was renowned for her chocolate cupcakes and pizzelle, her homemade borscht and cabbage rolls were unrivalled. She relished genuine company and loved to get lost in conversation with just about anyone, especially if they had a sense of humour. She also enjoyed dancing, calligraphy, playing Cribbage and watching both the Blue Jays and the Raptors, but family always came first.

Since late 2022, Christine very happily lived at Stonehaven Retirement Residence. She became a fixture of the community there and when she was not busy helping other residents, she loved spending time in the company of her neighbour Stan.

She was predeceased by her son Jason in 2000. She is survived by her youngest son Ian, former partner John, brother Victor (Florence), niece Laurie-Ann (Norman) and nephew David (Gabriella). On her late sister Mary’s side of the family, she is also survived by her nephews Milan and Johnny (Cathy), and niece Darlene (Don). Among the qualities that are too numerous to list here, Christine will be fondly remembered for her beautiful laugh, impeccable sense of style and heart of gold. In the eyes of all her family and friends, she was truly one of a kind and we were fortunate to have known such a wonderful lady.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 8 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Stonehaven Retirement Residence (70A Stonehaven Drive, Kanata). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.