Obituary of Helen Dorothy Smith

It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Helen Smith at the QEII, on Thursday, July 20, 2023.  Born in Sambro, NS, she was a daughter of the late George and Helen (Jollimore) Gray.  Mom was married young and started a family that grew to four kids.  Mom raised the kids while Dad was fishing, sometimes for weeks at a time.  Out of necessity, Mom became very handy, learning to fix things on her own, and doing it all never driving.  She was so proud when she got her license later in life.  She worked at Sears in the ‘80’s and enjoyed working with “the girls”.  In her younger years, Mom sewed and made dresses for the girls.  She was  a gifted knitter, and her socks and mittens were highly sought after, as were her chocolate chip cookies.  Mom went into everything with a smile and never had a bad word toward anyone.  She kept her sense of humour through it all.  God love her!

Helen is survived by her daughters, Marsha Feltmate, Pat Dempsey (Barry), and Judy McGrath (Steve), her son, Steven “Chippy” (Ellen), grandchildren, Angela, Kelly, Melissa, Christy, Ashley and Steven Jr., 8 great-grandchildren, as well as sisters, Gladys Ashford (Don), and Margaret Gray (Keith), brothers, Marshall (Dolly), Wallace (Winnie), and Glen (Chrystal), as well as many nieces ad nephews.  Helen is predeceased by her husband, Douglas Ralph, her grandson, Matthew, her parents, George and Helen Gray, and her in-laws, Ralph and Minnie Smith.  She was also predeceased by sisters, Dora, Marie Billard, Verna Myatt, and Gloria Stoner, and brothers, Gordon, Arthur and Herman.

As per Mom’s wishes, she has been cremated and there will be no funeral.  There will be a family graveside service at a later date.  Donations may be made in memory of Mom to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kidney Foundation.