April 9, 1920 - July 18, 2021
Our dear Mother, Letitia Smillie (Letty), passed away peacefully in Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock on July 18th, 2021. A proud Scot, she was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1920 to Lilias and Andrew Spence and had reached the grand age of 101. Letty lived independently until a few weeks before her death and had led a full and varied life.
She married her husband, Douglas Smillie, in 1941. Soon after their marriage Douglas was posted overseas during WW11 without home leave and they didn't see each other again for four years.
A few years after Douglas's return and following the births of their daughter and son, the young family immigrated to Canada in 1951. They first settled in Edmonton and then went further north to Fort Vermillion where Douglas ran the small airport.
Seeking warmer climes, they travelled down to the British Columbia coast a couple of years later. In their time on Vancouver Island they lived in Ladysmith, Yellow Point, Nanaimo, Maple Bay, and Cowichan Bay.
During this period, Letty's entrepreneurial spirit came to the fore and she bought, and ran a cafe in Nanaimo followed by the opening of her antique business, "The Wee Curio Shoppe", first in Maple Bay then Duncan, Victoria, and later Squamish.
After Douglas's retirement they moved to Maple Ridge and then Squamish to be nearer family. Eventually, they went back to the quiet of the Island where they enjoyed their many years in Qualicum Beach until Douglas's death.
After Douglas passed, Mum took up lawn bowling for the visually impaired and enjoyed travelling with her new friends to all the tournaments. About ten years ago, Letty moved to White Rock to spend her last years near family.
Letty is survived by her daughter, Janice (Denis), son, Graham (Kathie), grandchildren, Andrew (Sonya), Meredith (Matthew), David (Nadia), and Kevin, and her niece Lilian (Dennis) and other extended family.
She was proud of her great grandchildren, Jayden, Kaelan, Owen, Makenna, Ciara, Elijah, Nash, and Elizabeth.
Letty was predeceased by her husband, Douglas, parents, Lilias and Andrew Spence, and siblings, Jean MacLachlan, and Andrew Rae.
Letty had many dear close friends far and wide and enjoyed their frequent phone calls and visits. She loved keeping up with the "news". She held strong opinions, and had a deep interest in the world and the people she cared about.
Many thanks to all her the caregivers from Fraser Health who brightened her days and enabled her to live on her own for so long.
The family will host a gathering to remember Letty later in the Fall, the date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SPCA.