Obituary
On the morning of Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Lillian “Joan” Smith passed away at the
Kimberley Special Care home at the age of 81 years. She was the eldest of four
children born to John and Lillian Harding in the Municipality of Minto, Manitoba on
December 31, 1938. Joan grew up on a farm near Neepawa, Manitoba with her
younger siblings, two sisters and one brother. She told us stories of riding horse and
buggy to school.
She started her nurse’s training in Dauphin, Manitoba and graduated in 1959. She met
her husband, Barry Smith, while he was a patient in the Dauphin hospital and she
nursed him back to health. Joan followed Barry to Hinton where they were married on
April 23, 1960. They started their family there and had three children; Sherry, Glen and
David. She continued to work as a nurse while raising her family in Hinton. In 1966, the
family moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario where Joan continued to nurse until the family
moved to Cranbrook, BC in 1974. In Cranbrook, Joan worked as Assistant Supervisor
with the Cranbrook Homemaker Service until her retirement in the early 1990’s.
Our mom loved the outdoors and she and Dad loved hunting and fishing. She
absolutely loved her walks around the neighborhood and especially around the
Elizabeth Lake area. She was also an avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles and
dabbled at crocheting.
Joan was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother whose love was always
unconditional. She never judged anyone and she was a good listener. Her smile was
contagious. Mom was our angel here on earth.
Joan leaves to mourn her beloved children; Glen (Rhonda) Smith and Sherry (Greg)
Benbow as well as three grandchildren; Andrew, Brandon and Sara. Joan was
predeceased by her husband Barry, her son David, her parents John and Lillian Harding
and her brother, Vance Harding.
At Joan’s request, there will be no service at this time.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lillian Joan Smith Harding December 31 1938
October 20 2020..
mark memorial funeral services
Death notice for the town of: Cranbrook, Province: Colombie britanique