Obituary of Mary Aileen Smith

SMITH, MARY AILEEN (SANDY), (NEE Somerville)- Peacefully after a difficult struggle with Alzheimer’s , on April 22, 2013 at the Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews, N.B. Called Aileen by her immediate family, and her nickname Sandy, from her university days, by her many friends and extended family, she was predeceased in 2007 by her loving husband of 60 years, Donne Watson Smith, MD. Aileen was born in Saint John, N.B. on March 26, 1924 to Malcolm MacDonald and Mary Freda (Jenkins)Somerville. Raised in Saint John and Fredericton, she was an honours graduate of Saint John High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Allison University in 1945. While working as a laboratory technician at the Saint John General Hospital she met her future husband. They married in 1947. In 1950 they moved to St. Andrews to establish a medical practise where they became a team dedicated to the welfare of the town and the families in it. Sandy remained in the family home until the last months of her life. Sandy’s loves for her family and St. Andrews were intertwined. Throughout her life she remained passionately committed and eagerly involved. In her early life she was active in Girl Guides and various art clubs. She was a coordinator of the District Music Festival and an avid curler. Sandy was chair of the Board of Directors of the Ross Memorial Museum and a founding member of the Friends of the Ross Museum Inc. She strongly believed in the importance of preserving St. Andrews’ built heritage;was a founding member of the St. Andrews Civic Trust; co-authored with her dear friend Phoebe Anne Magee, the St. Andrews Heritage Handbook. She had a ready smile and loved to converse on the issues of the day. Besides her husband and parents, Aileen was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm MacDonald and Norma Somerville, her sister-in-law,Kathleen (Smith) Littin; her brother –in-law and sister-in-law, Blair and Phyllis Smith; and nephews Malcolm Somerville, Peter Somerville, and Cullen Smith. Aileen is survived by her grateful children, son Donne Watson Smith(Terrence Stewart), Chamcook, NB; son Richard Charles Smith(Deborah) and daughter Mary Barbara Smith, all of St. Andrews, NB; her adored granddaughter, Mary Hilary Graham; her brother and sister-in-law, Graeme F. and Catherine Somerville, Saint John, NB; and many nieces and nephews to whom she was generous and devoted. Sandy also leaves many good friends who enriched her life and she theirs in equal measure. A memorial service to celebrate Sandy’s life will be held at the Wesley United Church, St. Andrews on June 1, 2013 at 1:30 pm. At her direction a reception will follow at her family home, 93 Frederick Street. In lieu of flowers a donation to your charity or cause of choice in Sandy’s memory would be appreciated. On line condolences to the family or donations can be made at www.humphreysfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Humphreys Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St Stephen, NB E3L 2B2 (506 – 466 – 3110)