SMITH, HELEN GERTRUDE - Helen Gertrude Smith of Sackville NB died peacefully at the Drew Nursing Home, her family at her side, on Thursday November 6, 2014. She was 101 years old. She was born in Sackville on August 20, 1913 at the family home of her parents Harvey Hicks and Adelaide (Fillmore) Hicks. She attended the old Sackville Academy on Allison Ave. Following formal schooling she spent a summer helping her sister Edna on their farm in Fort Lawrence before returning to Sackville for a job as a seamstress working for Ella Mitton in her shop above the old C.W. Cahill Store on Bridge St. She worked there seven years until the birth of her first child. Helen had a lifelong interest in sewing and knitting. She started knitting at age 7 and was still actively knitting at the Drew until earlier this year. Ever so proud of her creations she would readily show off her handiwork to all visitors. Even in her later years she had an annual production of 50-60 pairs of mittens and gloves along with kids’ hats, crocheted tops for hand towels and baby quilts. Most of her knitting was given to charities earmarked as fundraisers for the church, Sackville Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, the Atlantic Mission Society, or the Red Cross. During the war she contributed knitting to numerous local organizations supporting local service men and women. She was the oldest member of the congregation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and a very active church attendee. Just prior to her 100th birthday milestone she was asked what she attributed to her remarkable longevity and she answered “I guess I lived a simple life”. A simple life maybe but one totally devoted to her family, friends and to her community. She married Albert Smith on June 29, 1935 and the couple settled into an apartment in Sackville with Albert securing a job as heating engineer at Mount Allison. Albert died in October, 1986. She is survived by her three sons; Mitchell (Eileen) of Sackville; Harvey (Heather) of Sequim, Washington, USA and Allan (Elaine) of Sackville and one sister Mabel Wall of Ottawa. Adored by her eight grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, this remarkable little lady will be greatly missed by her family.
There will be a visitation at the Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., Sackville (506-364-1300) on Sunday Nov. 9, 2 to 4 PM. Her funeral will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Nov. 10 at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sackville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or Foundation, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tantramar Heritage Trust or the Drew Nursing Home would be appreciated. The family wishes to extend their thanks to the excellent staff at the Drew for their exceptional care given to her over the past two years. Condolences to the family may be made at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or by visiting the funeral home Facebook page.