1954 - 2017
Jeanne (Jean) Marie Smith, nee Rowe, 1954 - 2017, passed away suddenly but peacefully on August 23, 2017 at Shuswap Lake General Hospital, Salmon Arm, British Columbia.
Jean was predeceased by her father, James Rowe, and her cousin, Arthur Berube. Jean is survived by Grant, her husband of 31 years, her four sons, Patrick (Shirley) of Richmond, Ian of Toronto, Tony of Sorrento, and Trevor (Rebekah) of Sorrento. She is also survived by her mother, Beatrice Rowe, her brothers Robert (June) Fillion and Roger (Catherine) Fillion, her sister Judith (Dwight) Monea, and her cousins, Ronald Berube, Collette Kramer and John Simonetti (also now deceased). She is also survived by her grandson Keon Li, her God-daughter Alison (Alejandro) Simonetti and many nieces and nephews.
Jean was born at Edmonton, Alberta, the eldest daughter of James Rowe and Beatrice Rowe (Berube). Jean grew up and attended school in the Strathcona area of the City, graduatated from St. Mary's High School in 1972. After graduation, Jean worked for a number of years at the University of Alberta and also at several local businesses in Edmonton.
Jean met Grant in 1985 and they were married in 1986 at Edson, Alberta, where Grant worked at the Yellowhead School Division. In 1987, Jean, Grant, and their two sons, Patrick and Ian, relocated to Kelowna, BC where Grant was employed at the Central Okanagan School District. In 1989, Jean's family grew again as Grant and Jean adopted two more boys, Tony and Trevor. In addition to being a busy mother and homemaker, Jean was an enthusiastic school and community volunteer in Kelowna. It was there that the family became a full time foster family, providing a loving home to many foster children for over a decade in Kelowna and Salmon Arm.
In 2002 Jean and her family relocated to the Shuswap where they owned property, and built a home on the beautiful shore of White Lake. Jean and Grant continued to provide foster care in the Shuswap area, however, Jean was unable to continue after 2008 as a result of deteriorating health. The Smith family operate Balmoral Farms, located in Tappen, Carlin, Notch Hill area, and Jean was an active partner in the farm until her death.
The Smith family would like to thank Dr. J. Meisner, Dr. K. Golberg, and the nurses and staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital for the wonderful care Jean received during her final hospital stay. Shortly after her passing, a family service was held at the Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm and Jean was cremated thereafter.
A Celebration of life will be held in memory of Jean Smith at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 at the Carlin Hall, 4051 Myers Frontage Road, Tappen, BC. Donations in memory of Jeanne (Jean) Marie Smith may be made to the Salmon Arm Woman's Emergency Shelter, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon, or the British Columbia Lung Association.
On line condolences may be sent to Jean's obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com