Victorine Marie Smith (nee Raymond)
March 9, 1936 – August 12, 2025
As published in the August 18, 2025 World-Spectator
On August 12, 2025, Vickie Smith of St. Paul, Alberta, formerly of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, passed away at the age of 89 years.
Mom was born on March 9, 1936, in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan. She was an only child born to farmers Thomas and Maríe José (Bombier) Raymond.
In 1941 Mom’s father left for WWII. Grandma Jose found work as a cook and housekeeper in a hotel to provide for her and Mom. One night, Grandma awoke to smoke in the hotel. They were able to escape, as she carried Mom to safety.
When Grandpa returned from WWll in 1945, they moved and farmed north of the beautiful Tantallon valley. Mom excelled at school, taking part in school plays, curling, track and field, girl’s hockey, and Home Ec clubs. The summer between grades 11 and 12, Mom travelled to Turner Valley to work in the hospital kitchen preparing and providing healthy meals while living with her aunt and uncle. After graduating from Grade 12, Mom trained in Regina as a telephone operator, providing long-distance service for two years.
While working in Regina, she received a call from a small community near Tantallon asking her to enroll in education courses and teach grades 1-9 at Cutarm’s one-room school. She was an excellent teacher and she spoke fondly of the students she taught. Proudly, she told us the story of her country students travelling to Regina, bringing back a winning trophy for synchronized marching. Each student wore clean, pressed blue jeans and their best white shirts, joking that they won because they looked different from the uniforms the city schools had.
During a dance in May 1957, a young, handsome man named Leroy Smith bravely walked across the floor and asked Mom for a dance. The two hit it off immediately and remained together for over 67 years. Mom and Dad were married September 14, 1957. Mom gained a great-grandmother, Anne McDonald; parents-in-law Roy and Marg Smith; and two older brothers-in-law, Garnet (Shirley) and Leighton (Marjie), and numerous nieces and nephews whom she was proud to call family.
Prior to the wedding, Dad had completed one year of university, and together they moved back to Saskatoon during the summer of ‘57 to a small upstairs apartment. Dad would complete his education, and they returned to their family farms during the summer. Their first child, Lee, arrived in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, in August 1958.
Once completing the education program at the U of S, these hardy Saskatchewan farm kids accepted a teaching position in Acme, AB, where their second child, Calvin (Jennifer), arrived in Three Hills, Alberta, in February 1961. After three years in Acme, an opportunity to teach at a country school in Kathryn, Alberta, became available. During this time, their third child, Janelle (Maurice), arrived in Calgary, Alberta, in March 1963. Mom kept busy at home with her three children, providing healthy, delicious meals, doing laundry, gardening, canning, and sewing many outfits. She took some time for herself to curl, helped with the Wolf Scouts, and belonged to a ladies club, volunteering whenever she could.
In 1969, Dad applied for a teaching position at Glen Avon in St. Paul, Alberta, a place the family would truly call home. After teaching for a year, a farm was found and purchased 3 miles north of St. Paul. In 1971, Mom’s parents retired and decided to move a modular home to the farm to be near family. Mom was very grateful to have her parents close by.
The farm kept Mom busy with chores and harvesting a bountiful, huge garden. Mom did take some time for herself: she had ladies’ afternoon curling, president of St. Paul figure skating, a skating judge, helped with 4-H events, and attended many sports games, cheering and supporting all who played. When the need arose, she would cover for holidays or sick days as the Rite Operator at the Provincial Building in St. Paul.. The farm was home until 1986; after all the kids moved out, Dad and Mom downsized to an acreage in St. Edouard to be near the grandkids who lived a mile and a half north.
Mom loved and was very proud of her grandchildren, Dorielle (Barry), a teacher; Alec (Meghan), a warrant officer with the PPCLI; and Frankie (James), a power engineer in Australia, along with her two great-grandchildren, Zander and Lukas, who loved giving her snuggles. She cherished every moment spent with them, often sharing stories and teaching them about the beauty of people and nature. These connections were a testament to her nurturing spirit and the legacy of love she cultivated in her family.
During their retirement years, Mom and Dad volunteered for the Legion and helped with many events. There was even time for a few trips across Canada, Alaska, and Europe. Travelling to Europe, they made a special side trip to visit her mother’s birthplace and relatives in Belgium.
When Mom was 11, she spotted an ad in the local paper for penpals. She picked someone from the farthest corner of the world, Jean Pederson from New Zealand. For over 40 years, Mom and Jean exchanged letters, cassette letters, phone calls, and gifts through their childhood, adolescent, and adult years. Their letters included stories about school, boyfriends, jobs, marriage, and children. They finally met in person, with their husbands remarking how similar they were, saying they could be sisters.
In 2001, they decided to downsize again, purchasing a small home on the East Side of St. Paul. They continued to garden, volunteer, and enjoy a slower pace. In 2002, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, battling it twice over 10 years. During this time while she battled through her surgeries and treatments, her eldest son passed away from pancreatic cancer. In 2020 she had two strokes, leaving her partially paralyzed on her right side, losing some of her independence and required family to assist with her needs. But she was determined to fight and her resilience was remarkable. Even with all of this happening, she would greet everyone with her beautiful smile. As she became weaker, she required more assistance and Dad’s health was beginning to fail. They decided it was time to move to a seniors home in 2023. Their needs were different and unfortunately, Mom fell, breaking her femur, while Dad was away for emergency surgery. It was now difficult to keep them together in the same place. It was heartbreaking, as they knew they would have to separate. We moved Mom to long-term care, with Dad living in assisted living half a block away.
Mom loved her family and provided a warm and loving home. It was delightful to walk into the house after school smelling homemade bread fresh from the oven or a summer treat of homemade ice cream made from the farm fresh cream and fresh picked raspberries. Her scrumptious baked goods and coffee were ready anytime to welcome neighbors, family, and friends who dropped in. She loved the outdoors and shared these interests and skills with her family. The farm was a perfect place to show her love and passion for family, friends and farm life. Gathering around the kitchen table, stories and adventures flowed freely, ensuring that these family gatherings and traditions would continue for generations to come.
Mom’s wish was to be cremated with no formal services. As we honour her memory. Let us remember the laughter, wisdom, and kindness she shared with each of us. Her spirit will continue to guide us in embracing the values she cherished most, be humble and be kind.
Our family is forever grateful to all who cared for Mom; Dr. Abdulsalem, the staff at the Elk Point Lodge, St. Paul Extendicare and MAID. Your kindness, unwavering commitment, and dedication to Mom’s comfort and dignity were truly remarkable. Our family finds solace in knowing that she received the best possible care.
If you wish to, please donate to Haying in the 30s (Cancer Support Society) or the Heart & Stroke Foundation care of 5626-51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1. Your generosity will help others in need and honour her memory in a meaningful way. Thank you for your support during this difficult time; it means the world to us. To send condolences or watch Victorine’s video tribute online, please visit www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com
Grace Gardens Funeral Chappel, 5626 - 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677
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