Obituary of Ann Smith

Anna Alina Smith was born on March 7, 1934 to Bertha and Gustav Dux in Rochester, Alberta and passed away at Killam Continuing Care on Feb 9, 2017 at the age of 82 years. Ann is survived by her sons Larry (Deb), Bob (Sheila), Gary (Debbie): son-in-law Jack; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one sister Bertha (Ken) and numerous stepbrothers and sisters. Ann was predeceased by her loving husband Ralph; parents Bertha and Gustav; stepfather Gottlob; son Douglas; daughter Shirley; grandson Chase; 3 sisters, Ella, Frieda, Elsie; and four brothers, Rudy, Bill, Edward, and Roland. Ann was born in the middle of the dirty 30s, the seventh child. Her father passed away a year after she was born. Life was hard growing up and though the family didn’t have many worldly possessions, they did have a lot of love. Ann started work at the Killam hotel cleaning and cooking. A friend that she worked with, decided to go to work at the Lougheed hotel where the pay was better and convinced Ann to come along. A great decision, for it was in Lougheed that Ann met and married her husband Ralph in 1951. They were married for 58 years when Ralph passed suddenly August 13, 2009. They raised their children, Shirley, Larry, Bob and Gary in Lougheed. After several moves the family settled in a house behind the garage owned by Ralph. Ann was a wonderful cook, cabbage rolls, fried chicken and strudels were a few of her specialties. Ann was never one to sit still. 4 children under the age 4, and no modern conveniences, Ann met the challenge and also took in custom sewing . She held a variety of jobs in the community –from cooking at the hotel, managing the Co-op store – to owning and running her own lighting fixture and variety store. Ann spent a great deal of time volunteering for her community. One of Ann’s favourite projects was the 10 years she spent acting as the village Easter bunny. She would sew handmade bears and ducks and add them to baskets with candy. Then on those special Easter mornings, Ann and a group of helpers dressed as bunnies would distribute the baskets to all the children in town. People would phone her and ask if they brought their children in from the country if the Easter float would stop for them. Not to be forgotten, every senior in town would receive a basket of homemade cookies. In 2001 in aid of the Red Cross efforts at the Worlds Trade Center, Ann made decorative pins and sold them for $5.00. She raised $2500 for the cause and received a plaque in honor of her contribution. Ann did not just spend all her time working. Ralph and Ann spent time in many different places holidaying. In 1984 the couple began spending their winters in Arizona, but Lougheed always remained home. Many happy times were spent fishing and camping with friends and family. One of her favourite spots was Blood Indian, south of Youngstown, great trout fishing and usually a good visit with her sister Bertha. The Battle River Community Foundation held their first community supper in Lougheed in honor of Ann and Ralph. Ann moved into Continuing Care in Killam, Sept 2016, where she passed away peacefully with her little dog and faithful companion Buttons by her side. The family would like to thank Dr. Weighman for his compassionate care, all of the doctors that took care of Mom, and the staff at the Killam Continuing Care for the excellent care and becoming her second family. Thank you to Audrey, Marie, and Carol for being her friends and helping her to stay in her home longer. Thank you to Fee and Sons Funeral Home for the kindness at this difficult time. A service honoring Ann’s life will be held Wednesday, February 15th at 2:00 pm. in the Lougheed Community Hall. Memorial donations in memory of Ann may be made to the Battle River Community Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.