Eileen Smith

Smith, Eileen Walling

With much sadness, we announce the passing of Eileen Walling Smith (nee Hoyt) in her 93rd year.  Devoted wife of the late Winston Smith, cherished mother of Patricia, Stephanie (Rob) and Robert (Fern).  Dear Grammie of Emily, Naomi, Crystal, Melissa, Erin, Emily and Tim and 8 great grandchildren.

Born in Norton and raised in Bloomfield, Kings County, New Brunswick, she was the eldest daughter of Leonard Sievewright Hoyt and Joan Eleanor (Walling).  She was predeceased by her only sibling, Ron (Patti) Hoyt.   Raised in rural New Brunswick, she learned a strong faith and work ethic and always stayed close to her Maritime roots. She graduated from Normal School in Fredericton, New Brunswick and taught briefly before moving to Ottawa.  In 1950 she married her sweetheart, Winston Smith, who she met in Fredericton.   They had a strong and loving partnership for 71 years.

Eileen was an optimistic, outgoing, energetic woman.  She was a dedicated homemaker and devoted wife.  For many summers she cared for the family in some of Canada’s most untouched areas as Winston worked surveying the Canada-U.S. border.  She had a broad circle of lifelong friends, and she enjoyed theatre, travelling and talking on the phone. In 1998 she was awarded the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award recognizing her years of community volunteer service.  She worked tirelessly to facilitate the building of Parkway House, a home for physically disabled adults.  She was a member of Bromley Road Baptist Church where she was active on the pastoral care team and supported Vietnamese refugees as they transitioned to life in Canada.

Family and friends may pay respects at the Tubman Funeral Homes Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean on Thursday, September 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Bromley Road Baptist Church, 1900 Lauder Drive, Ottawa, on Friday September 9th at 11:00 a.m.  Interment at Capital Memorial Gardens to follow.  Service will be livestreamed on YouTube Bromley Road Baptist Church channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BromleyRoadBaptist.  Attendees at the visitation and/or celebration of life are asked please to respect and practice social distancing.   In Memoriam donations to Parkway House are invited.