Jean E Smythe

Jean E. Smythe of Nanaimo, BC, passed away on March 5th, 2024 at the age of 92 years.

Jean was born in Gorleston-on-Sea, England, to Harold and Enid Salmon. Jean’s childhood and youth included being evacuated from her seaside home and her parents during WWII, marching in the June 1946 London Victory Parade as a member of the Sea Rangers, residing in London while attending secretarial college, riding motorbikes, and taking small trips with friends to various countries in Europe.

An interest in languages, music and travel have been mainstays throughout Jean’s life. At age 22, she left England with the idea of traveling around the world. New York, Toronto, and Florida were first, until a job offer promised paid train fare to Alberta for a seasonal job based out of Athabasca. Then she moved to Calgary for a new job at Stanolind Oil in 1955, where she was introduced to a fellow Brit, Jim Smythe. An invitation by Jim to the company Christmas party led headlong into a New Year’s Eve proposal, and they were married on June 9, 1956, in Calgary. The original plan of independent world travel was adjusted. Jean and Jim became parents to Stephen, Anne and Hilary, and lived in Calgary for the next three decades.

Throughout her life, Jean pursued her avocations, earning a Linguistics degree, teaching Esperanto, and traveling to China, the Galapagos Islands, and many wonderful places too numerous to mention. Jim’s retirement allowed for a move to Nanaimo in 1986, where they enjoyed views of the Salish Sea, family visits, and a gentler climate. Jean enjoyed gardening, photography, Esperanto, travel, lawn bowling, and anything that fed her mind. She was a collector, an organizer, a game-lover, a teacher, and was exasperatingly almost always correct. After Jim’s death, Jean bravely and successfully tried online dating in her 80’s, resulting in a loving companionship for 9 years with Derek Pritchard of Ladysmith, BC.

Competitive, intelligent, adventurous and loving, Jean is survived by her son Stephen (Ingrid) Hansen Smythe, Anne (Marco) Longley, Hilary (Allard) Losier and much loved grandchildren Sappho, Camille, Rigel, Evan and Dominic, along with numerous family members in England.

Jean was predeceased by her beloved husband, James Smythe in 2014 and most recently, her loving partner, Derek Pritchard in December 2023.

Jean will be interred beside Jim at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens and a Celebration of her Life will be held in Nanaimo in May. Donations in Jean’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.