December 1, 1937 - January 1, 2019
On the dawn of a new year, Denice Smith of Trail, BC, passed peacefully into the beyond leaving behind a legacy of love, happiness and wonderful memories. Denice fought a fierce battle against dementia and lastly bladder cancer. The dementia stole her speech but not her spirit and she maintained her lovely easy demeanor throughout.
She was previously deceased by her loving husband Trevor in 2013, beloved son Kevin in 2012, and her cherished sister Linda in 2011. Left behind to both mourn and celebrate her are her son Kerby (Betty) and his children Emily and Erik; her daughter Karin and her children, Michael (Stephanie), Danielle (Brian) and Katie (Cory); and loved daughter-in-law Geralyn and her children Trevor (Stacie) and Tristan. She was thrilled when she became grandmother to Trevor, Michael, Danielle, Katie, Emily, Erik, and Tristan. She was, however, even more excited to achieve the role of great- grandmother to Aiden, Theo, Jaxon, Ethan, Callen and Carson. She looked forward to and loved family gatherings over the years; even when the cruelest of dementias stole her speech, you could tell how much she loved them by the love and delight in her eyes. Denice is also survived by her siblings David and Alan (Joan) and her cousin Mickey (Gail).
Denice met Trevor in 1956 and it was immediately clear that they were meant to be together and they married after only 6 months of long-distance courting. The family moved to Europe in the 60s where many lifelong friendships were developed and good times had. After coming back to Canada, the family stayed briefly in Manitoba before moving back to B.C. to be closer to family and to set down some roots. The family settled in Trail and they purchased their house, which she immediately set to work making a home. Denice loved to work. She loved all the aspects that a good day's work offered, even if there was little personal reward. It was hard for her to take her retirement early with the closure of the Woolco store, but she quickly found fulfillment by filling her time by volunteering with the Red Cross and doing great work with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Trail Legion, serving several roles on the executive committee, including President, which she found hard due to her shyness but she overcame it and did it with all her heart!
Denice felt it very important to develop strong relationships with her grandchildren, and it was hard on her when some of those were not as geographically close as she would like, however, those that were away could look forward to summers spent splashing away in the backyard pool being taught to swim by Grampa while looking forward to the cool and refreshing treats that Gramma would always offer.
The family is forever grateful to Dr. Miles Smith for his wonderful bedside manner with Denice, who would giggle like a schoolgirl whenever she saw him. Thank you as well to Dr's Robinson, Jenkins, Houde, Hurdle, and Scully who helped her as well over the last year. The family gratefully thanks the absolutely magnificent staff of 3rd Floor Medical at KBRH for their upstanding professionalism, personal support and empathy given to Denice during her lengthy stay. Sincere thanks to Deb Sinclair of Trail Home Support and Danika of KBRH Social Work for your gentle strength and never ending support as well. We thank the staff of the Bridges Program and staff of CVL for taking such wonderful care of Denice during her respite stays - mom would not have been able to stay at home as long as she did without all of you.
Great thanks also to her friend Nancy Halliwell for always being there for mom; you are always family in our hearts.
There will be no service by Denice's request. There will be a private family gathering at her final resting place at a later date. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation ServicesTM has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Denice's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC at 300-828 W. 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1E2 or online at www.alzheimer.ca or to Bladder Cancer Canada at 4936 Yonge Street, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M2N 6S3 or online at www. bladdercancercanada.org
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www. myalternatives.ca
