Agnes "Aggie" Dorothy Elizabeth Smith

Aggie Smith, age 100, of Halifax, passed away peacefully at the Halifax Infirmary on November 20, 2021. She was born on Sept. 7, 1921 in East LaHave, NS.; the youngest of four children born to Hibbert and Florence (Corkum) Wamback. She graduated from the Halifax Infirmary as a nurse in 1943. After graduation she worked at Camphill Hospital where she met the love of her life, Bob. They were married in Halifax in 1947.

She will be sadly missed by her four daughters, Barb (Santosh) Lall, granddaughters, Julie and Carolyn; Jane (Fred) Smith Van Horne, grandson, Jeff and granddaughter, Kelly; Pat Smith, grandsons, Kyle and Ben; Christine (Scott) McDonald, grandson, Nick and granddaughter Haley; and seven great-grandchildren.

Aggie spent many happy hours enjoying activities with her family and friends. Her favourite activities included playing bridge, golf and curling. She enjoyed travelling with husband, Bob and friends.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Robert Smith “Bob” (1987), sister Carrie and brothers, Archie (May) and Harding (Lillian).

Quote by Aggie Smith: “Grateful for a wonderful husband, family and good friends.”

There will be a private family service.

Tribute to Nan

Our grandmother, Aggie was a wonderful person, a devoted wife, loving mother, grand mother, great grandmother and good friend to all. She had an incredibly full life. She golfed and drove until she was 94, lived alone in her apartment until she was 98 years old. Her apartment was a very friendly building, she enjoyed playing bridge and Mahjong, Wednesday coffee mornings and parties for every occasion.

Aggie grew up in East LaHave with her sister, Carrie and her 2 brothers, Archie and Harding. She loved telling us stories of when she was young in East LaHave. She went to school in a one room schoolhouse and told stories of driving to a track and field event in the back of a truck to compete in her specialty, the high jump. She also enjoyed sneaking out to jump on ice flows on the LaHave river, Once she fell in the river and came home in wet clothes She tried to sneak to the outhouse to change into dry clothes. But Aggie got caught! Another time she skated to the other side of the river at night and a boat had broken a channel in the ice in the middle of the river and she had to skate to Bridgewater to get back home! Needless to say she was late arriving home that night. Aggie had the athletic genes in the family for sure!

She was loved unconditionally by her older brothers and sister since she was the baby of the family.

Aggie was eager to leave East LaHave and did so as soon as she could, after completing Grade 11. She graduated from the Halifax Infirmary nursing school. Aggie lived with her Aunt Elsie in the Hydrostone neighbourhood of Halifax and walked to and from Camp Hill hospital for work every day.

She met Bob, the love of her life at Camp Hill Hospital where he was a patient. After he was discharged from hospital they started dating. While they were dating they would go canoeing and skating. Their first date was a skate on Chocolate Lake. Their first joint purchase before they were married was a canoe. Nana told me that as a young family she and Bob and the girls would often go on picnics and Sunday drives.

Aggie learned to be a strong and caring mother from her mother who looked after the family and home while her husband was away at sea as a ship captain. He travelled to Europe and the Caribbean on his sailing ship.

Aggie stayed with Barb, Jane and Pat at a cottage in Black Point for the summer for many years and Bob would drive from the city every night after work. Aggie and Bob eventually bought a cottage in Boutilier’s Point where all four girls and later the grandchildren enjoyed family time at the cottage, swimming to the rock, going out in the boat and playing croquet.

Aggie was athletic but didn't have the chance to play many sports while growing up. When she was older she became an avid golfer and curler. She had many wonderful friends with whom she played golf, curled and played bridge. She enjoyed going to the Seniors provincial golf trip tournament every fall with her friends to try out a new golf course. At the Ashburn Golf Course Aggie was known for her straight drives and her name is amongst the greats for scoring a hole in one.

I think she also enjoyed a good party. In their early years, Bob and Aggie enjoyed going to dances and parties with their friends. She had such a great sense of humour and made everyone laugh. The life of the party!

Nana looked after us grandchildren with great care while we were growing up. She babysat us, and looked after us when we were sick. She loved to get down on the floor to play games with us and cuddle. She also spoiled us, I remember enjoying going to Dairy Queen with Nana and Bob starting when I was 3.

Aggie enjoyed knitting, cross stitch and embroidery. She knitted everyone in the family beautiful socks.

Aggie was also a wonderful seamstress. She made clothes for her girls including party, graduation dresses and a wedding dress. She also made beautiful Barbie doll and Cabbage Patch doll clothes including knitted sweaters for them.

She enjoyed being a wonderful hostess and cook. For many years she invited us for breakfast on Christmas Day and then after we recovered from opening presents we were invited back to her house that day for a full Christmas Dinner.

Aggie was a loyal and true friend loved by everyone she met. The sign on her apartment door which she chose with care and was very expressive of her essence read “Come in; Laugh Much: Visit Often”.

She was game for just about anything, even when we took her out for Sushi, Thai or Indian food. She would often say "Don't invite me unless you mean it because I will always say yes".

We will all miss her but have wonderful memories of her to cherish.