Margaret Jean Smith
Oct. 3, 1915-April 7, 2011
Born in Inverness, N.S. to Forbes and Jennie Stewart, Margaret outlived her brothers Donald and John and her sister Marion. She graduated as an R.N. and gold medalist of her class from Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, N.S. in 1941. She nursed at hospitals in Truro, N.S., London, ON and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal.
She was predeceased in 1982 by her husband Surgeon-Commander John Rankin Smith who served in the Medical Branch of the Royal Canadian Navy from January 1941 to June 1947 in both sea duties in the Battle of the Atlantic, and ashore in charge of the surgical work at Naval hospitals in Sydney and Halifax, N.S. and at St. Hyacinthe, Que.
For the major part of their married life, Dr. and Mrs. Smith resided in Vernon, BC, where Margaret flourished in a busy medical household, and as a member and President of the Women's Auxiliary to Vernon Jubilee Hospital. She loved organizing creative fund-raisers for needed hospital equipment.
Margaret was vibrant about life. She loved painting, flowers, the water, birds and most of all her family, friends and acquaintances. She loved gatherings and making people laugh.
She died at home peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by her loving son and daughter - Rankin (Jane) Smith of Cortes Island, BC and Jeanne Christine Smith of Campbell River, BC, nephews, nieces, and sister-in-law Josephine of Victoria, BC.
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"
II Corinthians
A Memorial Service will be held in her honour in May. Details to be announced.