Obituary of Ethel Smith

Peacefully in hospital, surrounded by family on Dec. 6, 2018 in her 94th year. Our mother, Ethel, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1925. She was blessed by the love of her close-knit family: her mom and dad, Jemima and Angus Fraser, and her four sisters: Lily, Chris, Gertrude, and Nora. She is survived by her elder sister, Gertrude, of Aberdeen. In Scotland our mom experienced the hardships of the 1930’s and the war that followed. She joined the Women’s Air Force and was stationed in Germany during the occupation. Soon after the war Ethel married our father, Alfred (Fred) Smith (deceased 2016) and, together with their first child, Philip, emigrated to Canada where they settled in London, Ontario. It was here with our father that she raised the family that she nurtured with so much love and devotion. Over the next seven decades our mom became the central unifying force in the family which now spans three generations. Ethel was a self-taught woman who loved literature, music, and painting. She was a wonderful partner on the dance floor. She had a lively, competitive spirit and enjoyed a good scrabble game. She spent countless hours sharing her love of the piano with her grandchildren and teaching them to play. Ethel loved to debate ideas about societal and health issues. She had boundless empathy and always threw her support behind the underdog. Memories of her beautiful smile and hearty laugh will stay with us forever. Ethel devoted her life to her beloved children, grandchildren, their partners and her great grandchildren: Philip, Cheryl, Kathleen, Clayton, Alison, Eric, Jean, Kurt, Noah, Keira, Wendy, Bobby, Leslie, Joleen, Martin, Lisa, Cameron, Damien, Lorna and Clive. Ethel will be greatly missed by her loving friend, Doug Morrison, who brought so much joy and happiness into her life. Ethel’s family held a private celebration of her life at her home on Friday, Dec. 7. Expressions of sympathy and donations to the London Health Sciences Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through Ontario Cremation Services (519-472-2200) or on line at ontariocremation.com. Ethel’s family wishes to thank the staff at University Hospital for their kindness.