It is with great sadness that the family of Joyce Smith (nee Kent) of Davidson, Sask. announce her passing.
Joyce was born on Glenview Farm in Radisson, Sask. to W.W. (Wall) and Louisa Kent on January 26, 1922 and grew up on the family farm. She received her education at Hopewell and Radisson High Schools and attended Success Business College. Playing sports, especially softball, getting teased by her brothers and working on the farm was how she spent her formative years. She started work at Speers Seed House in Saskatoon and then on to Davidson where she worked for the Co-op. Here she met her husband Vernon Smith and on January 27, 1945 they were married in Saskatoon and later raised two sons, Greg and Rick.
While raising her family, Joyce split her time between working at the post office and the Co-op where she retired in 1975. Between Joyce and Snook they renovated an old farm house and lived in that home that still stands in Davidson. She enjoyed golfing, curling, entertaining family and friends, singing and trailoring to Saskatchewan Parks and other campsites with Snook. She served one term on Davidson town council where she learned you can’t please everyone with your decisions, so you may as well please yourself.
Joyce and Vern after a few years of retirement, sold their house in Davidson and moved to senior’s apartments in Sutherland (Saskatoon). A few years following Vern’s passing, Joyce moved to Swift Current to another senior’s assisted living complex and then on to the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern, Sask., where she was well looked after until her passing on July 16, 2011. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all Joyce’s care givers and the home for the caring treatment they gave to her in the last years and days of her life.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Vern; her parents Lou and Wall Kent; sisters Pauline Adlam and Lydia Baldwin; brothers Don, Bill and Tom Kent and a number of brothers and sisters-in-law; and a niece Cheryl Gray and nephew Kent Maxwell. Left to mourn her loss and celebrate her life are sons Greg (Nadia) Smith of Swift Current, Sask.; Rick (Betty) Smith of Waldheim; granddaughters and great-grandchildren Jaci (Brian) Heinrichs, (Emma Kate and Claire) of Waldheim; Kate (Eldon) Chillog (Piper and Roan) of Lloydminster, Alta.; and Cari Smith of Waldheim and sister Jean Sadler of Saskatoon. Also left to celebrate her life are numerous nieces, nephews and their families, great-nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and of course good friends.
In lieu of any flowers, the family graciously asks that you make a donation to the Mennonite Nursing Home, PO Box 370, Rosthern, Sask. Hanson’s Funeral Services from Davidson are in charge of arrangements and will be holding a graveside service for Joyce, Monday, July 25, 2011, at the family plot in the Davidson Cemetery.