Obituary of Helen Florence Smith

Helen Florence Massey Smith was born in Brighton, ON on June 7, 1913 to Franklin Percival Massey and Pearl Mitha Lloyd. When Pearl died in childbirth, in 1916, Helen was informally adopted and raised by her uncle and aunt, James and Elizabeth McKague, on a Baltimore, ON farm.  She developed an enduring love for music, playing piano by ear.  She attended High School in Cobourg until Grade 11.  When no longer able to go, she says she happily became a “farmerette,” and loved to drive a team of three workhorses. She was in much demand for solos and duets in local churches.  Working as an upstairs maid, she met and married Arthur Norman Smith of Colborne, in Port Hope on February 22, 1941, while he was a cook in the Army.  After their first two children, Marguerite and Eric were born, the couple moved to a huge Victorian home in Peterborough, which Art got busy renovating.  He worked for Trent Valley Bakery and later opened an antique store on Hunter Street.  Helen worked in the local hospital.  Three more children were born, Rosemary, June, and Ruth. 

 

In 2003, at age 90, Helen made the big move out west to live with Rosemary and her husband, Major The Rev. Tom Needham.  She enjoyed many interesting trips with her daughters while out west.  Helen was a woman of prayer, with a deep and abiding Christian faith; you could always hear her praying for her family and others, refusing to bear a bad word or animosity against anyone.  She was active in the church, its ladies guilds, and played for services at the Golden Prairie Nursing Home in Indian Head with Rev. Tom officiating.  Helen was predeceased by her husband Arthur; son Eric; daughter June; grandson Tom; and son in law Rev. Tom Needham.

 

She is survived by her daughters, Marguerite in Toronto, Rosemary in Regina, and Ruth (Gary Hill) in Edmonton;  grandchildren: Erica Beavis (Andy) and their son Mitch;  Dr. Bonnie Richardson (Glenn) and their four children,  John (Jess) and daughters, Arya, Emily and Isla,  Anthony (Janelle) and children, James and Elizabeth,  Josh (Robin), and Aris;   Josh (Carla) and children, Becky, Thomas and Luke; Sarah in BC;  Wayne and Brennan Button; Jason Diltz (Lilia); and Markus in Ontario.  

 

Our world has lost the dearest sweet little mom and gramma, the most unconditionally loving spirit we have ever known.  Lord, we can easily imagine her playing Your piano in Heaven! We are deeply thankful for all the precious Santa Maria staff who looked after Mom so well in her last years!

A Private Celebration of Helen's Life will be held for the family at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Rosewood Park Alliance Church.  The service will be livestreamed, those so wishing view online may do so at:  https://youtu.be/2N_klgrqTZw.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anglican Church of the Redeemer, or Rosewood Park Alliance Church.