Marie Louise Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother Marie Smith after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Marie passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Left to mourn her passing are her three daughters; Linda Smith, Leanne Bertolotti, Rita (Kirby) Humphrey, and son Brian (Colleen) Smith. There are four grandchildren; Chantel (Jesse) Hulsman, Jenelle Bertolotti, Brendan (Kendra) Humphrey and Michael Humphrey. Marie also leaves behind two Great-Grandchildren; Devon Hulsman and Roland Humphrey. Also left to mourn her passing are her two nieces, Joyce (Ian) MacDonald and Janice (Kevin) Symonds, both of Parksville, BC, and their families, along with her sister in law Sylvia Bews-Wright.

Marie was born in Kamloops BC on May 6th 1937, to Louise and Arthur Wright. She attended school at St Ann's Academy and then went on to study nursing before she met and married the love of her life, Earl Harry Smith. Earl was working for the Bank of Montreal at this time and they travelled quite a bit while growing their family. They then settled in Kamloops to raise their family, where Brian, Linda, Leanne, and Rita grew up. During the next few years, (1967-1973) Marie, together with Earl, owned and operated the Dog N Suds Drive-In in Valleyview. Mom then went on to work several years for the Royal Bank and sold Amway products at night. Our mother was always an extremely hard worker, whether it was on her own or with dad, or at home for us. I’m sure that is where all of us acquired our hard work ethics for our own lives.

In 1980 Earl and Marie started their own business doing financial consulting and tax returns for many of the people in this area. They both then went on to work for financial companies, Earl was now a Chartered financial planner and Marie always worked with him, side by side, until they eventually retired and wanted to see the world.

They started by spending winters down in Puerto Vallarta sometimes by themselves, sometimes with family members. Then it was time to explore new places and off they went on many cruises, trips to Africa, Japan, China, so many places! But they always came back to Kamloops, to spend time with the grandchildren, take them to parks and playgrounds or the wildlife park, and tell us their stories. Many trips were done with friends and family.

Marie has always been a devout Catholic, first in the younger years at Sacred Heart Cathedral, then in later years at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help church on the North Shore, as that is where they now resided. Her continuing faith brought her through the good times and the rough times in her life. Marie loved to sing, she sang in many choirs over the years, then churches, The Happy Choristers and of course, always at home. We always knew mom was home when we walked up the stairs and could hear her singing or humming. She was very musical, played the piano and the organ. In the later years, she was an active long-term member of the Catholic Women’s League and Marie was always willing to help out with whatever her church asked of her.

Marie will always be remembered as a kind, loving, gentle mother and will be missed by all those who knew her, she will be in our hearts forever and will never be forgotten, only loved! Rest in peace now, Mom, it’s time for you and Dad to re-unite! Our hearts are saddened by her passing but grateful she has gone to meet Earl and God!

Our families would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and especially the care aides at Kamloops Seniors Village who always looked after mom as if she was their own! All of you were wonderful and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You went above and beyond for Marie and we are truly grateful, you will be missed as well!

A memorial mass and luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 15th at 11:00 am at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church (235 Tranquille Road, Kamloops BC).