Helen, a life long resident of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the Embassy West Hospice surrounded by family and friends. She was the youngest daughter of the late H. Lloyd Smith and late Helen M. (Gray) Smith. She will be greatly missed by her sister Jane Smith of Pembroke, brother Clark Smith (Elaine Bazinet) of Douglas, nephews Alex (Alison Judd) and Adam (Daisy Moores), niece Laura (Robert Campbell) and dear friend Anne Vespry of Ottawa. Her grandniece Maggie and grand nephews Leo and Peter will be deprived of her guidance, keen wit and realism.
Helen obtained a Bachelor of History Degree in Canadian History (Queen’s University) and a Masters of Library Science (University of Western Ontario). While at Hopewell P.S. much to her delight, she auditioned and was chosen to sing with the Ottawa Public Schools’ Central Choir.
Helen had three distinct careers starting as a Children’s librarian, Librarian at Heritage Canada; Office manager of a law firm and throughout an editor/writer and co-creator of “Canada ‘s Farm – a History of the Experimental Farm in Ottawa”.
From an early age she was very imaginative and creative as shown by her plasticine models of Roman soldiers, cedar carvings and miniature antique furniture. Her love of history and working with wood even inspired her to move a mid-19th century log house to her property in Renfrew County where she spent many hours chinking logs, painting window frames with authentic paints and restoring the siding to bring back the house to its original beauty. This past spring Helen designed and constructed on her balcony a beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables that flowed over tables, trellis and floor. During the last six months of her life, Helen endured many very difficult challenges and changes. She faced every one of them with courage and good humour. Helen will always be lovingly remembered by her family and friends as a very strong and courageous person!
Following Helen’s wishes there will be no visitation or funeral but there will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life at the home of her nephew on Saturday, December 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. For those wishing, donations (in lieu of flowers) may be made to:
Place Of Birth: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada College: Queens University Interests/Hobbies: History, Architecture and Building techniques, Gardening, Reading SF/F, Horror Movies
Helen obtained a Bachelor of History Degree in Canadian History (Queen’s University) and a Masters of Library Science (University of Western Ontario). While at Hopewell P.S. much to her delight, she auditioned and was chosen to sing with the Ottawa Public Schools’ Central Choir.
Helen had three distinct careers starting as a Children’s librarian, Librarian at Heritage Canada; Office manager of a law firm and throughout an editor/writer and co-creator of “Canada ‘s Farm – a History of the Experimental Farm in Ottawa”.
From an early age she was very imaginative and creative as shown by her plasticine models of Roman soldiers, cedar carvings and miniature antique furniture. Her love of history and working with wood even inspired her to move a mid-19th century log house to her property in Renfrew County where she spent many hours chinking logs, painting window frames with authentic paints and restoring the siding to bring back the house to its original beauty. This past spring Helen designed and constructed on her balcony a beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables that flowed over tables, trellis and floor. During the last six months of her life, Helen endured many very difficult challenges and changes. She faced every one of them with courage and good humour. Helen will always be lovingly remembered by her family and friends as a very strong and courageous person!
Following Helen’s wishes there will be no visitation or funeral but there will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life at the home of her nephew on Saturday, December 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. For those wishing, donations (in lieu of flowers) may be made to:
Place Of Birth: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada College: Queens University Interests/Hobbies: History, Architecture and Building techniques, Gardening, Reading SF/F, Horror Movies
Burial Date: December 6, 2014
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