(Elsie) Vera Smith (nee Featherstone)

(Elsie) Vera Smith, in her 97th year, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, on February 11th, 2026 at Grace Villa Long Term Care Home in Hamilton, Ontario. The family wishes to express deepest gratitude to the staff of Grace Villa for their years of care and kindness.

Vera was born in Hamilton on April 1st, 1929 to Thomas and Elsie Featherstone (nee Baetz) .

Her older sister Isabel (Burns) was her life long best friend and champion. Isabel’s children were very dear to her: Janette (Hugh) Lundy; Steven Burns; Gord (Maureen) Burns and Russell (Janice) Burns.

Vera faced many childhood illnesses and met them with the same fierce determination that she carried with her throughout her 96 years. Profoundly and increasingly deaf for the majority of her life, Vera led a full life, despite many challenges and disappointments.

Vera’s greatest joys were her children - Susan (Don) Reeder; Nancy (Lindsay) Wilcox; Daniel (Marsha) Smith; her grandchildren – Sarah (James) Kuepfer; Alana Smith; Lauren Smith; Mitchell Reeder; and her great grandchildren – Kyle Kuepfer and Kody Kuepfer.

Vera had a deep faith and was dedicated to her work in the Church for many years. As an adult she went back to school to further her education including completing her High School diploma. She volunteered and taught literacy and worked at ComCare as a homecare support provider. She was a prolific writer and was published often in the community paper.

A funeral service will be held at Markey-Dermody Funeral Home, 1774 King Street East, Hamilton on Thursday, February 19th, 2026. Visitation at 10am; service at 11am; departure to Woodland Cemetery at 1pm for interment.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Vera’s life.

In lieu of flowers – donations may be made in memory of Vera to the Food Bank at Christ Church Woodburn, 1307 Woodburn Road, Hannon, ON L0R 1P0 or to The Giving Closet, a Crownpoint Community Church outreach programme, 92 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton, ON, L8H 3Z1.