A resident of Morrisburg for the past 47 years, Stella Smith passed away at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, following a brief illness. She was 87.
Stella was born in Belleville, on October 14, 1926, to John and Margaret Gallivan (nee Belcour). She was raised on a farm near Stirling, Ontario. Stella was the oldest of four children, and attended Eggleton Public School.
After grade school, Stella had to forego high school in order to help with work on the family farm and with her younger siblings.
In 1944, Stella married Ralph Smith, a stationary engineer and farmer. Together they raised five children.
Stella and Ralph began their marriage living on a farm near Holloway, Ontario. They moved to a farm near Spencerville, in the early 1950’s when Ralph started working at the Dupont plant in Maitland. In 1959, Stella and Ralph moved again to another farm near Shanley.
Stella shared the chores associated with farm life and raising children.
In the early 1960’s, Stella started working at Caldwell Linen Mill in Iroquois, and she remained an employee there until 1967, when she and Ralph sold the farm and moved to Morrisburg. Soon afterwards, Stella began working as a waitress at Romeo’s Restaurant. Approximately five years later she began babysitting children from her home, which she did full-time for about eight years.
During retirement Stella supplemented her income by baking pies for the Morrisburg Legion.
Stella was raised with horses and maintained a strong love for them throughout her life. She also liked dogs and cats, and was an avid Blue Jays fan. She rarely missed a game.
Stella enjoyed travelling and camping, and she and Ralph had a camping trailer for many years. They also took several bus tours within Canada and the United States. Stella felt fortunate to have travelled to the places she had been.
Stella’s greatest love was children. Nothing gave her more joy than holding a baby, or rocking with a toddler.
Stella was a kind and giving person. She will be missed by her family and her many friends within the community and church.
Stella is survived by her children Goldie Britton of Morrisburg and Steven Smith of Dorchester, her grandchildren Jim Smith, David Britton, Kevin Britton, Darryl Britton, Elizabeth Reynolds, Wayne Smith Jr., Jeff Smith, Kristy Smith and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Ralph, her sons Garry, Wayne and Robert, her sisters Marion Clarke and Betty Johnston and her brother Vince Gallivan.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Morrisburg, on Friday, July 11th at 11a.m., with Rev. Feras Chamas officiating.
Interment followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland. Pallbearers were Jeff Smith, Jim Gallivan, Darryl Britton and David Britton.
Donations to Winchester Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
[…]
Be the first to comment