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Mary Gertrude Smith
June 24, 1927 - December 15, 2017
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<div itemprop="description">SMITH, Mary Gertrude (nee Saint) <br> <br>Peacefully in Ottawa on December 15, 2017, at the age of 90. Beloved wife of Dr. Charles H. Smith, for 68 years. Loving mother of Dr. C. Douglas (Katrin), Richard D. (Mary), A. Michael, and Timothy M. (Jeannie). Cherished Nannie of Erik, Krystina, Jennifer, Christopher, Owen and Alexandra. Proud great grandmother of Evan, Avery, Griffin, Leona and Sadie. <br> <br>Mary was born in Kensington, P.E.I., where her father (Dr. Jabez R. Saint) was the United Church minister and her mother (Ethel Grace Penny) played the piano in the church choir. They later made their home in Amherst, N.S., where Mary attended high school. She trained at the Montreal General Hospital, and received her nursing degree in 1949. Having met Charles earlier in Amherst, they were married that year. <br> <br>Later in life, Mary was diagnosed with celiac disease. This experience led her to become cofounder of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association, and to serve as its President. She spent many years counseling newly-diagnosed celiac patients in the Ottawa area. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the 1977 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, and in 1991 was made an honourary life member of the Canadian Celiac Association. <br> <br>Mary also had a real green thumb and loved caring for her gardens, in much the same way as she cared for all around her. She was an inspiration to all of us. <br> <br>Family and friends are invited to visit at the Pinecrest Visitation Centre, (2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa) on Friday, January 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with a Funeral Service to follow in the chapel. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Celiac Association would be appreciated in lieu of flowers (http://www.ottawaceliac.ca/donate.html). <br> <br>The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Ravines Retirement Residence for their compassionate and professional care. <br> <br>“For life is eternal and love is immortal and death – death is only the horizon – and the horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight.” The late Rev. J.A.O. McKennitt, 1994. <br> <br></div>