Helen Gertrude Smith of Sackville NB died peacefully at the
Drew Nursing Home, her family at her side, on Thursday November 6,
2014. She was 101 years old.
She was
born in Sackville on August 20, 1913 at the family home of her parents
Harvey Hicks and Adelaide (Fillmore) Hicks. She attended the old
Sackville Academy on Allison Ave. Following formal schooling she spent
a summer helping her sister Edna on their farm in Fort Lawrence before
returning to Sackville for a job as a seamstress working for Ella
Mitton in her shop above the old C.W. Cahill Store on Bridge St. She
worked there seven years until the birth of her first child.
Helen had a lifelong interest in sewing and knitting.
She started knitting at age 7 and was still actively knitting at the
Drew until earlier this year. Ever so proud of her creations she would
readily show off her handiwork to all visitors. Even in her later
years she had an annual production of 50-60 pairs of mittens and
gloves along with kids’ hats, crocheted tops for hand towels
and baby quilts. Most of her knitting was given to charities earmarked
as fundraisers for the church, Sackville Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop,
the Atlantic Mission Society, or the Red Cross. During the war she
contributed knitting to numerous local organizations supporting local
service men and women.
She was the oldest
member of the congregation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church and a very active church attendee. Just prior to her 100th
birthday milestone she was asked what she attributed to her remarkable
longevity and she answered "I guess I lived a simple life".
A simple life maybe but one totally devoted to her family, friends and
to her community.
She married Albert Smith on
June 29, 1935 and the couple settled into an apartment in Sackville
with Albert securing a job as heating engineer at Mount Allison.
Albert died in October, 1986. She is survived by her three sons;
Mitchell (Eileen) of Sackville; Harvey (Heather) of Sequim,
Washington, USA and Allan (Elaine) of Sackville and one sister Mabel
Wall of Ottawa. Adored by her eight grandchildren and 15 great
grandchildren, this remarkable little lady will be greatly missed by
her family.
There will be a visitation at the
Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., Sackville (506-364-1300) on Sunday
Nov. 9, 2-4 PM. Her funeral will be held at the funeral home on
Monday, Nov. 10 at 2PM.
In lieu of flowers,
donations to the Sackville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or Foundation,
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tantramar Heritage Trust
or the Drew Nursing Home would be appreciated.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the excellent staff
at the Drew for their exceptional care given to her over the past two
years.
Condolences to the family may be made at
www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or by visiting the funeral home Facebook
page.