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June 16, 1924 - May 5, 2021
It is with love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mom, sister, grandma, and great-grandma Dorothy Irene Smith (nee Hiltz) on May 5, 2021 in Courtenay, British Columbia at the age of 96.
Dorothy was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Charles Smith; her parents Charles and Gladys Hiltz; sisters Marion (Ray) Clark and Lillian Hiltz; sisters-in-law May (Carl) Chelstrom, Ellen Wortendyke (Ralph), Gertrude (Trudy) (Dick) Bugler and numerous friends and relatives.
Left to mourn their loss but cherish her memory are her younger sister Gwen (Stan) Johnston, loving daughters Irene (Howard) Diamond and Carol (Donald) Murchison; granddaughters Melanie (David) Murchison and Shayla Diamond; her great-grandson Cameron Kelly; friend and caregiver Susan Morgan and countless nieces and nephews.
Dorothy Hiltz was born on June 16, 1924 at Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert and was raised on a nearby farm in Spruce Home, Saskatchewan. After graduating high school, Dorothy moved to Prince Albert and trained as a nurse at the hospital she was born in, completing her registration exam in 1945.
In her accomplished 35-year nursing career, Dorothy worked at numerous hospitals in Saskatchewan; particularly enjoying her work in the obstetrics department at Pasqua Hospital, Regina under Dr. Leonard Cowan.
In 1940, Dorothy accepted the marriage proposal of Charles Smith, prior to his enlistment with the 44th Battery, 13th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. They were married in 1946 and were soon joined by two daughters Irene (Howard) Diamond and Carol (Don) Murchison, whom they loved deeply.
In 1966, Dorothy and Charles moved to Westwood in Winnipeg, Manitoba where they lived until their retirement in 1980. Shortly thereafter they traded in the cold Manitoba winters for the west coast and year-round golf, moving to Fanny Bay on Vancouver Island.
In addition to golf, Dorothy enjoyed gardening, reading, especially murder mystery novels, cruises, knitting, visiting family, and volunteering with both the Canadian Red Cross and the Mammography Clinic in Courtenay. Dorothy was an elder and long-time member of the Comox Valley Presbyterian Church and a member of Eastern Star.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross in her honour.



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