Agnes SMITH

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SMITH: (nee Preston), Agnes Ellen, June 2, 1921 – January 14, 2015. Agnes (Mom & Grandmother) passed away peacefully in her sleep, during the night of January 14, 2015 in Fairview Home in Brandon. Agnes was born June 2, 1921 at Kelso, Saskatchewan. She was the middle child of Alfred and Kate Preston. She had six siblings, four brothers and two sisters. Her father, Alfred was born in Newbold on Avon in England and came to Canada as a Bernardo Boy. Her mother, Kate Mary (nee Hiscock) was born in the village of Henstridge in Somerset, England and grew up in Canada on a homestead north of Rossburn, adjacent to the Riding Mountain Park boundary, which Mom called her “Magic Place”. Alfred, Kate and their family lived on two different farms East of Kelso, Saskatchewan. Agnes completed her Grade XII high school in Kelso and attended Normal School in Regina for her Teaching Certificate. She taught in country schools and Moosomin, from 1940 to 1949. She spoke proudly and fondly of her teaching in Saskatchewan, of her good evaluation by the Superintendent; she kept in touch with some of her students throughout her life. Agnes married Albert Smith on June 2, 1949. Albert worked for the CPR as a station agent. They started married life in Storthoaks, Saskatchewan. Bert bid on an opening in the Elkhorn CPR station, and the family moved to Elkhorn in January of 1961. They were divorced in 1972. Agnes was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Kate, her Uncle Albert, aunts Bessie and Agnes, her brothers Robert, Arthur, Albert and Tom. She is survived by her eldest sister Edith, and youngest sister Margaret. Agnes is survived by her six children, Ken and spouse Fay, Audrey (sons Matthew and Malcolm), Kathleen and husband Walter (daughter Erin and son Michael), Charles, Robin and wife Chris (daughters Erica and Kara), and Preston (daughters Lisa and Kasey and son Ben). Agnes came back to teaching in Elkhorn Collegiate, and earned a Bachelor of Education degree through Brandon University, while teaching full time and raising her six children. She taught History, Geography and French from 1965 to 1982 in Elkhorn Collegiate. Mom very much enjoyed teaching and her students. Mom never lost her love of words, as Ken learned recently noticing something special on a visit with her. He saw a letter from a previous visit marked up with many corrections, with a little note at the end………”Sorry Ken, I couldn’t help it”. It’s very characteristic of how deep Mom’s teaching love was. Agnes also earned qualifications in library organization and worked to set up the library when the new school was built in Elkhorn. Upon retirement from teaching, Mom was blessed with the opportunity to continue her love and association with books by becoming librarian in the Elkhorn Public Library, from 1982 to 1991. In retirement, Mom was a member of the Elkhorn Leisure Centre where she enjoyed playing cards and shuffleboard. She volunteered as the centre’s treasurer for a number of years. Mom’s faith in God was strong in her quiet way, and after many years of worship in the United Church, she found the Anglican Church in Elkhorn, and enjoyed many years worshipping there with her friends. In her words, “Each of us is unconditionally loved by God. The presence of the Holy Spirit fills life with joy – has been so with me”. The small congregation works hard to keep going, and Mom enjoyed all the roles she was able to fill, including playing the organ for services. She was also secretary, lay reader and organizer of services. In Mom’s words, one of the greatest inspirations in her life was her mother …….”My mother had a stroke at age 55 and carried on 12 years, not expecting sacrifices to be made for her. My parents worked hard”. One of Mom’s fondest memories was the privilege of closeness to her grandchildren. Mom enjoyed hosting family get-togethers. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter were focal points for Mom and her family, full of lively conversation, wonderful food and games -notably Scrabble, Boggle, Crokinole and Cribbage. Mom remembered helping to complete the cabin at White Bear Lake, that son Charles designed and built. She loved the view of the lake looking out from the deck, well up the hill side. Mom loved walking, probably as a time to think, and was often seen around Elkhorn on her route. Mom had an incredible vocabulary, and loved good words, enjoying a game of scrabble right into her 93rd year. During conversation Mom could spell tough words out loud with amazing ease. She frequently quizzed us and her caregivers on our spelling. Mom was an avid reader, with a library of books in her home, wherever that was. We looked forward to the books she chose for us as gifts at Christmas. She instilled the love of reading in all of us, beginning with our bedtime stories as children. Mom was an avid and skilled knitter, creating many sweaters and gifts for her children and grandchildren, passing on her love of knitting to one granddaughter. The family wish to thank the Fairview Home Fifth Floor staff. Mom enjoyed them and they treated her with respect, good humour, and amazing care. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of the Golden Girls and Caring Companions. The family are planning to hold a memorial service and gathering in Elkhorn this spring. Internment will take place in a private family gathering at another location also this spring. Mom requested that any donations be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 24, 2015