Obituary of Alma Smith

SMITH, Alma Dorothy (Franks) - 76, Annapolis Royal, of cancer, January 8, 2013. Born in Quill Lake, SK, August 20, 1936 and raised in Dauphin and Minnedosa, MB, Alma was the oldest of three children. At 17, Alma graduated from Business College in Winnipeg, sang as a soprano with the Anglican Church and married her hometown sweetheart, Edward Walter. Ed's naval career as a pilot provided desired adventure with 14 postings the first 10 years of marriage where she taught herself to sew new dresses for Friday night Mess Dinners. A final transfer brought them to Dartmouth, NS in 1967. Alma was a pioneer home decorator; fabulous cook; baked, jammed, pickled, tended and celebrated fresh veggies from neighbours' gardens; and possessed a recycling ethic that would put today's recyclers to shame. She forever consulted the dictionary to ensure the proper use of English. She sewed professionally for Lee McMenemy's Draperies; ran her own corner store and boarding house on Hawthorne Street; was the first female president of the Navy League of Canada; gave St. George's Tennis Club countless hours in time, talent and tennis; sang in the Church of the Holy Spirit's choir and at age 53 took a third-year university course and earned A-. Upon Ed's retirement, they returned to small town living in Annapolis Royal in 19where in characteristic fashion she applied herself to St. Luke's Parish, the Police Association, the Legion and its countless activities, and played tennis and skated until she was 75. With Ed, she traveled extensively throughout Europe, the US and enjoyed yearly treks to Bermuda. She lived Scarlett O'Hara's line, "I'll think about that tomorrow." She will be dearly missed by friends and family, husband of 58 years, Ed; sons Scott (Sandy) and Brad (Cheryl), daughter Kelly (Sean Hennessey) and grandchildren Robert, Alena, Wesley, Patrick, Megan, Jack and Kate, all of Dartmouth. Her father Alfred died when Al was 11; later, her sister Lois, brother Edgar and mother, Mabel, predeceased her. In her memory, drink a dry martini, go skating, send fresh cut flowers to someone you love, complete a New York Times crossword puzzle, play a game of Yahtzee or give to a food bank. Special thanks to Annapolis Royal Home Care, VON and Palliative Care for their compassionate help along this last chapter of a life well lived. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. The service will be held on Saturday, January 12, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Anglican Church, 342 George Street, Annapolis Royal. Reception to follow. Graveside committal service will take place at Christ Church, Dartmouth at a later date. Online condolences www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com