Obituary for
Reta Jacklene Smith (Roe)
(August 19th, 1934) – (October 26th, 2018)
Died peacefully 2:00 PM October 26 at Queensway Hospital Ottawa surrounded by her loving family, devoted husband Brant, children Karrie (Martin) and Ed (Debra); grandchildren, Ted and John McCluskie, Joshua (Heather) and Patrick Smith (Brittany); great grandchildren, Keith, Owen, Brantley and Chelsey.
Reta grew up in Stratford, Ontario to parents Bernice and John Roe with her devoted sister Anne Marie Davidson (Jack) and brother, Walter Gerald Roe (Delores). There she met Brant at Stratford Central Collegiate and were married in 1958, celebrating 60 years of marriage in April. They spent 55 years in the Waterloo Region where they raised their family and served their community in many ways. Reta was a celebrated educator with the Waterloo Region District School Board. She wrote curriculum, consulted and was a sought after speaker. She became an Instructor for the Ministry of Education at York University and the University of Western Ontario, specializing in the area of reading. Her boundless passion for children, learning and the arts influenced many. She loved expressing her larger than life artistic joy through participating in the Kitchener-Waterloo Gilbert and Sullivan Society performances, storytelling, painting, antique collecting and many other artistic activities.
Reta’s biggest happiness in life remained her family and we all knew it. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Thanks to the staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital for the care and professionalis during her final hours. While Brant remained her full-time caregiver for almost 9 years, for the last 2 years she was at Forest Hill Long Term Care, Kanata, ON. Reta really enjoyed the staff and activities including music, teas and Friday family dinners. We thank them for their dedicated support.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, November 8, 2018 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 971 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2A 3G9 at 3:00 PM with a reception to follow in Campbell Hall.
Another Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 248 Westmount Road East, Kitchener, ON N2M 4Z1 at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Reta Jacklene
Smith Roe 1934 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario