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FLORENCE JEAN SMITH (nee KIRKBY)
With hearts full of love and gratitude for her life, our family is sad to announce the passing of Florence Jean Smith in her hundredth year on May 17, 2024. Born June 3, 1924 in Brantford Ontario to Cecil Elmer Kirkby and Violet Gardener Kirkby. Florence was the mother of Moira (Grant) Myers, Kirk (Kim) Smith, Shelley (Bob) Passfield and Tara (Dwight) Penner. Loving Grandmother to George Myers (Cherie), Rachel (Andrew) Nadon, Kevin (Chelsea) Myers, Sabrina Smith (Dave), Tyler Smith (Katrina), Jordan Passfield (Monica), Gillian (Aiden) Thompson, Jessop (Alysia) Penner and Haley (Mathew) Gervais. Treasured Great-grandmother to Tanner (Kristy) Jones, Tyler (Ada) Myers, Dakota, Tegan and Kaiden Passfield, David Lambert, Victoria and Alex Penner, Freya Gervais and Skye Myers. Great-great-grandmother to Maxwell and Addison Myers and Peyton Jones. Predeceased by her husband James Henry Smith (2012), her parents and brothers Robert, Alfred and Lloyd Kirkby, her sister Muriel McBride and granddaughter-in-law Janet Lee Nicole Myers.
Florence moved from Brantford to Stamford (Niagara Falls) with her family when she was 5 years old. She was active in her school and was a leading soprano vocalist in her church choir and at the age of 14 was the Guest Soprano Vocalist in the Temple Men’s Choir. She attended Stamford Collegiate Vocational School where she graduated Valedictorian of her graduating class. She then attended the Hamilton General Hospital School of Nursing graduating as a Registered Nurse.
After graduating she directed a Hospital Ward for disabled men. It was while she was in Hamilton she became reacquainted with a neighbourhood friend of her brothers’, Jim Smith, who was attending McMaster University. Jim and Florence were married at Lundy’s Lane United Church in 1948. They rented their first home together in Delhi Ontario where Jim taught in the Secondary School and Florence took up a nursing position with a local Family Doctor. She retired from nursing at age 24 when she became pregnant with her first child. From there they moved to Merritton Ontario where they continued to grow their family. Moving to Grantham Township in 1956 Florence remained active in her church and community, taking up many leadership roles including President of the U.C.W. , Senior Choir and Grantham Music Hall at Grantham United Church. In her later years she also received a 20 year pin and diploma for her Volunteerism with the St. Catharines CNIB.
She loved and cherished her family. Many memories were created each summer when family would join Jim and her at their cottage on Horseshoe Lake in Eastern Ontario. Time was spent fishing, tatting lace, building puzzles and playing cards. With regular visits to the Hershey Chocolate Factory every few weeks with different family members. Her love of family tree research and sharing the rich family history of her ancestors has been passed down to the next generation. She thrived on large family gatherings, which included welcoming many friends in the festivities.
The interment has already taken place. A celebration of her life will be held at Trillium United Church (415 Linwell Rd., St. Catharines) on Saturday June 8, 2024 beginning at 1:00 o’clock. Memorial Donations can be made to Trillium United Church.
Friday May 17th 2024
Passfield Mortuary Services Inc
Death notice for the town of: St. Catharines, Province: Ontario
death notice Florence Jean Smith Kirkby Friday May 17th 2024
obituaries notice Florence Jean Smith Kirkby Friday May 17th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Florence Jean Smith Kirkby Friday May 17th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
