Gail Patricia Smith

With heavy hearts, the family announces that Gail Smith passed away peacefully on October 21, 2021 at the age of 86.

Gail will be missed by her loving husband Gordon, her daughters Cheryl (Jim) and Maureen (Richard), and her grandchildren Lauren, Trent, and Dana.

Born in Winnipeg on July 8, 1935 to Lewis and Gladys Rackham, Gail was the eldest of five children.

Gail met Gordon Smith when they both worked at Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA). After they were married in 1959, Gail devoted her time to motherhood and homemaking. Once her daughters reached their teenage years, Gail chose to return to the workforce and was a respected Administrative Assistant in the Food Science Department in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. After retiring from the U of M, Gail continued working part-time in the office at Sanford Collegiate until 2001, when she officially ended her working career to enjoy her family on a full-time basis. Truth be told, she actually returned to employment, acting as Lauren’s “Nana Taxi” driver, taking her from school to piano lessons and then home to La Salle, often with a secret trip to Dairy Queen for ice cream along the way. It was her favourite job of all!

Gail kept physically active and loved going for long walks with her family and with her friend and neighbour, Deb in La Salle. Gail and Gord enjoyed many wonderful family vacations in Florida, Arizona, Barbados, Hawaii, and Australia. They especially valued the nineteen years they spent as Winter Texans in Weslaco, Texas. They enjoyed the active lifestyle and the many friends that they made at their winter home in Magic Valley Park.

Gail enjoyed baking, scrapbooking, and especially knitting. Her famous “Nana Cloths” were donated over several years (including this year) to classrooms to help clean the students’ whiteboards. We were all the lucky recipients of her impeccable sweaters, mittens, and blankets over the years. She also enjoyed donating her knitting to many charitable causes supported by Trinity United Church. But mostly, she loved sharing these talents with her granddaughter, Lauren. Nana was so special, valued, and loved!

Some of Gail’s biggest smiles came when she pulled out her camera. She always had her camera in her purse and she was often heard saying, “You never know when there will be a Kodak moment!”

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff on 2 North at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre for their kindness and compassion in caring for Gail during the past year.

In keeping with Gail’s wishes, a private service for immediate family was held.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail’s memory may be directed to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba at 204-943-6622.