Obituary of Marilyn Claire Smith
December 6, 1929 - December 16, 2016
After a life well-lived, surrounded by love, our sweet Mum, Marilyn Claire (Speck) Smith, formerly of London, has left this world. Marilyn was born in Toronto and attended Frankland Public School, Loretto Abbey and the University of Toronto (Dental Nursing – Class of 1949). In 1951, she married “the boy next door”, John Malcolm (Mack) Smith (2007) and they shared 56 loving years together. Mack’s military career took them to Germany, Shearwater, Cornwallis, Goose Bay, Camp Borden, Petawawa and finally London, where they lived for many years. Marilyn was very involved in her community, the hospital auxiliary, the IODE and the ACW at the Church of the Transfiguration. She was a valued member of Glasfax and ran a successful antique business for 25 years. Her vast knowledge of glass and china, honesty, and friendly personality were appreciated by all who knew her. Marilyn tirelessly researched the family histories of both she and Mack, and this is a gift that we will treasure for generations. Marilyn is loved deeply by her children, Katherine Culbert (Peter), David Smith (Joanne), and Christopher Smith, and will be missed by her grandchildren, Jay (Melissa), Julie (Rob), Ian (Kim), Katie and Lindsay, and her great-grandchildren, Sarah, Henry, Luke, Oliver, Everett and Ben, as well as her brother Dr. John E. Speck (Yvonne). A funeral service, officiated by the Reverend Anne Jaikaran, will be conducted at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Donations in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the Men’s Mission, the Humane Society or the charity of your choice. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the kind staff at Nightingale Nursing and Landmark Assisted Living, Dr. Michael Bayer, a truly amazing physician, and the fantastic nursing staff at Northumberland Hills Hospital, Cobourg, for facilitating Mum’s peaceful journey onward.