Cecilia Joseph Smith (née Roberts, née Offrey) of Hawkes Bay, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2016, surrounded by loving family and friends, at the age of 96. It is with great sadness that the family announces that her search for a man with three good legs has finally come to an end. Cecilia, whom everyone affectionately called "Celie" or "Ceil" will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, playful mischievousness and dedication to her family. Born on October 19, 1919 in Eddies Cove West, Celie spent the good part of her life taking on a man’s world with nothing but grit, gusto and a great deal of sarcasm. Starting off in the fishing boat with her father at the age of 14, over the years she was often found logging for Bowater’s, or fixing things for Wallace Maynard. She was a force to be reckoned with and the epitome of Women’s Liberation.
Cecilia was predeceased by her first husband William Roland Roberts; her second husband Roland Smith; parents Allen and Mary Offrey; sisters Mary, Annie and Eleanor; brothers Lawrence, Granville, Eymard and Reginald; her baby Chip; and not to mention numerous black bears, rabbits, caribou, beavers and a scattered moose. She leaves to mourn, her children Marie (Bill) and Walter (Greta); sisters Madeline, Evangeline, and Theresa; her grandchildren Verna, Glenda (Bobby) Walter (Angie), Tammy (Pat), Bonita (Bo), Paula (Donnie) and Damian (Judy-Ann); her great-grandchildren Jeffery (Karla), Robin (Sherry Lynn), Aletha (Peter), Stephanie (Craig), Ricky, Rebecca, Moya, Michaela, Sydney and Ryan; her great-great-grandchildren Dawson, Cloe, Grace, Katie, Maddalyn, William, Lily and Kaylee and also her nephews Robert (Michelle) and Walt (Bernadette) and a large circle of family, friends and fans.
Special thanks to her caregivers Marina Drover, Joy Kelly, Tracy House and all the staff at Rufus Guinchard Health Centre. Never one to mince words, Ceilie has asked for "No snottin’ and bawlin’!" In lieu of flowers, everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate in their own way. Raising a glass of Seagram’s 83 in her memory would be quite appropriate. Upon her wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no formal funeral service. The family home was open to visitors on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Fillatre’s Funeral Home. To sign the family guest book, please visit our website at www.fillatre.ca.
"Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says "Oh, no! She’s up!" – Joanne Clancy