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It is with great sadness I announce the passing of my Mother, Helen M. Smith-Wardle, on Monday, February 6, 2023. She was the Mother of Mary Belanger (Frank) and the late David Smith (2004).
Proud Grandmother and Great-grandmother of Christopher Belanger (Corene) and his children Meredith and Victoria and of Joanne Briers and her Children Dawson, Riana and Brooklyn. She is survived by her brothers Albert (Ricky), Arnold (Josie), John (Regine) ,Bill (Tina) Vanmoorsel and Sisters, Nelda Dwyer (Ferg dec.) and Rita DeWys (John). Predeceased by her parents Petronella And John Vanmoorsel, Brother Harry (Helen), Sisters Liz Van Gaal (John dec.), Toni Van Bommel (Harry).
Survived by my Father’s Sisters who continued a wonderful relationship with my Mother all of these years…she considered herself so lucky…Margaret Smith, Mary Moulson (Vaughan) and my Dad’s youngest Sister, Pat McAllister (Lionel) She is also survived by her special cousin, Ann Vandeven (Arnold dec), many nieces, nephews, cousins of the Vanmoorsel, Smith and Bekers Family (Ottawa Area) as well as relatives in the Netherlands.
My Mother was the second oldest of 10 children and in 1948 they immigrated to Canada with my Grandparents, for a better life settling in the Ottawa Valley region. She worked as a nanny for two children in Ottawa and then as a Bell telephone operator until she met and married my father in 1952. I arrived in 1953 and my brother David a year and a day later.. My Father worked on the St Lawrence seaway as a diesel mechanic and when the seaway was finished they eventually moved to Brockville. It was there in the early 60’s that my Mother embarked on a successful Real Estate career…She became the first Female Realtor in the region, opening her own Real Estate company in Brockville. Helen M. Smith Real Estate Comp Ltd. My Father eventually joined her in business and together their business thrived on loyalty, integrity. She helped many people financially herself, who might never have had the opportunity to have their own home based on their particular situations, she believed in them…and felt they needed the chance…I never knew this until the last couple of months….she shared this with me. After my Father passed away in 1986 she continued to live an adventurous life, travelling and enjoying her winters in Florida and cottage here in the summer…she remarried again to Ron Wardle who predeceased her in 2014.
In 2018 she moved out of her home of 56 years into a condo by the river and met some wonderful friends…Margaret, Wilma and Ann among others. who were very kind and helpful to my Mother when she was not well…everyone looked out for each other and supported each other…She loved it there. Morning coffee with Ann and the girls dropping over for a chat and a glass of (bubbly) in the evening…made her happy. I am so grateful to these friends for all of their help especially when my Mother was not well…she also had many other friends, many who have gone before her. Special thank you to Anita and Bea for their support.
I am especially grateful to her longtime faithful Friend Sandra Fox, who has been in her life since her early real estate days…she was always a call away, anytime day or night if my Mother needed anything or just wanted to talk. for me living out of town. I was comforted knowing Sandra was around…she is the Sister I never had for sure.
My Mothers health declined the last few years, but she always liked to be as active as she could even if it meant she would have to spend a couple of days or more getting her body rested up for her next adventure…loved to go for drives, especially if it involved shopping, since she never felt she had enough clothes or shoes lol…she loved going out to restaurants. I can’t recall going out with her when she did not meet someone she knew or connected someone she knew with the person she was talking to.
She expressed many times how absolutely grateful she was with the care received from Dr. Au and his staff…she had high respect for Dr. Au not only as a Dr. but as a compassionate, and patient person/friend who always took time to listen to her. I cannot tell you how many people she relayed these feeling to in the last couple of weeks, so many.
I closing I would like to thank the nurses on the various units in Brockville General, especially the Palliative Care Unit….superior care, compassion, a quiet peaceful place for families for where ever their journey leads them. Also my sincere appreciation for the services that assisted my Mother and helped her maintain her independence at home…the Smile Program, CPHC, Meal Program. Thank you Nancy for your time with Mom.
Mom was a lifetime member of the CWL and member of the Airforce Association in Brockville.
You told me you had a “wonderful life” Mom …I am really going to miss our daily phone calls….and our final words to each other each time… ”I Love You”
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Irvine Funeral Home, 4 James Street East, Brockville on Friday, February 10, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Francis Xavier Church, 66 Church St., Brockville on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11 am followed by interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery and a reception at the Irvine Funeral Home Reception Centre. A recording of the service will be made available for those unable to attend.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the the Brockville and District Hospital Palliative Care Unit, The St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Brockville and Area Food Bank would be gratefully acknowledged.
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Monday February 6th 2023
Death notice for the town of: Brockville, Province: Ontario
death notice Helen Smith-Wardle Monday February 6th 2023
obituaries notice Helen Smith-Wardle Monday February 6th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Smith-Wardle Monday February 6th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
