Geraldine Oviatt Smith, 1932-2018
GERALDINE OVIATT SMITH, age 85, passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Cardston, Alberta, April 12 with her husband and son at her side. She was born May 10, 1932 in Stavely, Alberta, the last of eleven children born to Mary Elizabeth and John Oviatt. She was raised in Stavely and Claresholm. During her last year of high school, she moved to Toronto to live with her older sister, Ona Marie, where she completed high school and went on to nursing school at Toronto General Hospital. In Toronto, she met Edward James Smith. They were married on August 20, 1954. They were sealed in the Cardston LDS Temple in April 1956. Their six children were all born in Ontario, where they continued to live until retirement.
Gerry had many talents and hobbies, including gardening, quilting, sewing, crafts, needlework, and music. She was an amazing mother, homemaker, hostess, and teacher. She was a fun and witty person, especially fond of playing games with her family. When her kids were a little older, she returned to full-time work and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing with Honours at the University of Ottawa and became a clinical instructor of nursing at the University of Ottawa.
Gerry and Ed served four missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to the Toronto Temple, London South Mission, Canada Vancouver Mission, and the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center. She held many callings in the church over the years, including teacher, visiting teacher, compassionate service leader, Relief Society president, and early morning seminary teacher.
Gerry and Ed retired to Penticton, BC, in 1994. They spent 23 happy years enjoying the Okanagan. Gerry loved her friends and neighbours, walking in the sunshine and seeing the flowers as well as cherry-picking and all the orchards.
Gerry’s children and grandchildren remember her as a wonderful mother and grandmother. She left a legacy of faith, righteousness, and service. Gerry is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edward, and children Malcolm (Tammy) of Cardston; Cameron (Jannie) of Boise, Idaho; Fraser (Joanne) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Allison (Michael) Daun of Cincinnati, Ohio; Carolyn Neil of Phoenix, Arizona; and Angela (Brad) Alford of Dallas, Texas; 26 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Catherine Hudson and Viola Hudson, sister-in-law Rula Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may meet the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, Cardston, AB on Tuesday, April 17th from 10:00 to 10:45 am with a service to follow at 11:00 am. Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.
GERALDINE OVIATT SMITH, age 85, passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Cardston, Alberta, April 12 with her husband and son at her side. She was born May 10, 1932 in Stavely, Alberta, the last of eleven children born to Mary Elizabeth and John Oviatt. She was raised in Stavely and Claresholm. During her last year of high school, she moved to Toronto to live with her older sister, Ona Marie, where she completed high school and went on to nursing school at Toronto General Hospital. In Toronto, she met Edward James Smith. They were married on August 20, 1954. They were sealed in the Cardston LDS Temple in April 1956. Their six children were all born in Ontario, where they continued to live until retirement.
Gerry had many talents and hobbies, including gardening, quilting, sewing, crafts, needlework, and music. She was an amazing mother, homemaker, hostess, and teacher. She was a fun and witty person, especially fond of playing games with her family. When her kids were a little older, she returned to full-time work and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing with Honours at the University of Ottawa and became a clinical instructor of nursing at the University of Ottawa.
Gerry and Ed served four missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to the Toronto Temple, London South Mission, Canada Vancouver Mission, and the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center. She held many callings in the church over the years, including teacher, visiting teacher, compassionate service leader, Relief Society president, and early morning seminary teacher.
Gerry and Ed retired to Penticton, BC, in 1994. They spent 23 happy years enjoying the Okanagan. Gerry loved her friends and neighbours, walking in the sunshine and seeing the flowers as well as cherry-picking and all the orchards.
Gerry’s children and grandchildren remember her as a wonderful mother and grandmother. She left a legacy of faith, righteousness, and service. Gerry is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edward, and children Malcolm (Tammy) of Cardston; Cameron (Jannie) of Boise, Idaho; Fraser (Joanne) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Allison (Michael) Daun of Cincinnati, Ohio; Carolyn Neil of Phoenix, Arizona; and Angela (Brad) Alford of Dallas, Texas; 26 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Catherine Hudson and Viola Hudson, sister-in-law Rula Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may meet the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, Cardston, AB on Tuesday, April 17th from 10:00 to 10:45 am with a service to follow at 11:00 am. Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.