Skip to content

lma SMITH

June 5, 2009

SMITH Thelma Eunice Smith June 21, 1930 - June 3, 2009 Thelma Smith passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Regional Hospital on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009. Our mother was an incredibly tough lady who, in her seventies, confronted and battled cancer. When terminal lung cancer was diagnosed, Thelma braced herself once again and forced this final opponent into extra sets. Mom touched the lives of many through her life-long passion for tennis, continuing to play every chance she got, even between treatments at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Born and raised in Hastings, Sussex, England, Thelma experienced WWII firsthand as bombing raids destroyed their neighbours' homes. She later met and married our father, Thomas Smith, and emigrated to Canada in 1955. We arrived in Red Deer in 1962, settled into the new subdivision of Sunnybrook, where Mom immediately set to work. She raised five children: Graham, Hilary, Gillian, Nigel (Sasha), Roger (Naoko). Her work careers included stenographer at the Family & Juvenile Court and later realtor with Personal Realty and then Patrician Realty until her retirement. In addition to the Red Deer Tennis Club, Thelma helped form the local Unitarian Fellowship; she was a longtime board member and driver for Meals On Wheels and volunteered in several capacities to make Red Deer a stronger community. In addition to her children, Thelma is survived by six grandchildren: Jennifer Morrison, Ryan Smith, Chelsea Stone, Scott Smith, Adrian Smith and David Smith. She joins her parents, Doris and Dudley Samwell and her husband, Tom, in peace. Also mourning her loss in the UK are her sister, Valerie (Jack) Miles and their two sons and families, her brother-in-law, Victor Germain and his two daughters and families. Mom received excellent care from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, but it was her local family physician, Dr. Willem Myburgh, who treated Mom with exceptional attention and compassion and we'd like to give special thanks to him for his dedication. We also thank the wonderful staff on Unit 32 for their gentle words and kindness. A celebration of Thelma's life will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at noon in the Heartland Room at Westerner Park. It will be our privilege to share memories of Mom with her neighbours, friends and family at that time. Donations in Thelma's name to Meals On Wheels, the Red Deer Tennis Club or UNICEF would be a lasting honour. Condolences to the family can be forwarded through www.reddeerfuneralhome.com