July 1926 – August 2022

Jean Burnice Smith (nee Wright)

July 1, 1926 – 2022

Jean Burnice Smith, beloved wife of E. William (Bill) Smith, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 years. Jean Wright was born and raised in the Port Colborne, Ontario area with her three sisters and brother. In 1944 she took a sabbatical from High School to help, along with her sister Margaret, build Lancaster Bombers and upon reaching 18 years of age she joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a WREN. While stationed in Halifax she met a young sailor named Bill Smith at a picnic.  After the war Jean finished High School, obtained a diploma in fashion design and moved to Montreal to be near Bill. She lived at “1189 Guy Street” with eight other girls, a fun time in her life that she often talked about.  Bill and Jean were married in 1951. Together they raised seven children. Times were busy, in 1963 Bill was transferred to Pakistan and insisted his family be with him. Jean had to move with 6 little kids in tow. Several moves later and one more child, they ended up in Calgary where they would remain.

Jean’s passion was playing bridge, even  teaching the game to seniors at the Kerby centre. After years of chauffeuring, feeding and caring,  the children were finally grown so Bill and Jean began to spend their time traveling the world or at the cabin they owned on Flathead lake, MT. Later  they moved to a property near Sundre, AB and raised cattle until Bill’s death in 2008 after 56 years of marriage. Jean spent her golden years in Calgary, going on the occasional holiday with her children.  Jean is survived by her children; Susan, Sandra Schorr (Barry), Stuart (Su), Sheena van Dyk (Bart), Stephen (Ann), Scott (Debbie), Stan, 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (and counting). She was pre-deceased by her parents Elizabeth and David Tindal Wright, and her siblings Margaret, Muriel, James and Shirley.