Bernice "Bernie" Helen Smith

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of their Dear Mother, Bernice Helen Smith on September 27, 2024, at the age of 97 years.

Bernice “Berny” Smith, age 97, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. Her body finally just couldn’t keep up anymore and she peacefully slipped away. Berny is survived by her daughter, Sharlene (Garry) Higginson; her sons, Bevin (Janice) Smith, Dawson Smith, and Verol (Tammy Thompson) Smith; her daughters-in-law, Sylvia Smith and Colleen Reynolds; her 17 grandchildren; her 40 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean Ross; a sister-in-law, Jean Smith; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Donald; her sons, Keith Smith and Kenneth Smith; a grandson, Tyler Smith; a great-granddaughter, Olava Grunau; her siblings, Ken Horn, Lillian Goddard, and Ruth Robb; her brothers-in-law, Bob Goddard, Leonard Ross, and George Robb; and by many dear friends.

Bernice “Berny” Helen Smith was born on February 4, 1927 at Shaunavon, SK to Lars & Carrie Horn. Berny lived her entire life in between Abbey and Swift Current, growing up in the Cabri area. Berny and Donald Smith were married in 1944, and as a 17-year-old bride she moved to her in-laws’ farm near Abbey. Here she obtained her driver’s license by driving to the end of the laneway and back. Six kids and twelve years later, Berny & Donnie moved their family seven miles south of Abbey to the Badgermound School. They renovated this building and added two bedrooms, to accommodate their growing family. Eventually, a new house was built on the other side of the trees. Berny was kept busy taking care of kids, preparing meals, gardening, mending jeans, and ironing white shirts for her hockey-playing sons. She was an avid curler and always watched curling on TV. Berny was heavily involved in the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary Branch No. 222 and was a chartered member when the organization began in 1948. She was the original standard bearer and eventually filled every possible executive position – president, secretary, treasurer, and various committees. Berny was awarded the honour of lifetime membership, and to our knowledge, was the last remaining charter member. The Auxiliary spent many hours catering and donating to functions that they sponsored – 4H days, sports days, rodeos, wedding banquets, showers, teas, and many more. Five years after Donnie passed away, Berny at the age of 80, moved to a senior’s condo in Swift Current, where she would still have the coffee pot on, beer in the fridge, goodies in the freezer, and a deck of cards on standby for when company arrived. One night, when some of her visitors were staying late, a raucous game of blackball had family worried that her neighbours might complain about the noise. Berny shrugged it off, saying not to worry about it as it was a seniors' building and none of the residents could hear well enough to make a complaint!

Berny faced every health challenge head on, she quit smoking in her seventies so that she could recover from eye surgery, she beat breast cancer in her eighties, and she adapted to living with diabetes late in life. Berny stopped driving when she was 90, as her car had been stolen and she thought that was a sign.  Health concerns eventually led to her moving again across the city, into assisted living. Even as her eyesight worsened and it became more difficult to follow curling, she never missed a curling match on TV. Berny was always happy to take anyone on in a game of crib. She kept her memory sharp by reciting the names of her 40 great-grandchildren by name.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Willows Terrace Riverview Estates and Cypress Regional Hospital for their dedication in providing care to Berny over the past few years. While we will miss our matriarch, we take comfort in knowing that she has left behind a legacy of family and love that will continue for generations to come.

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