September 23, 2020
1932-2020 ~ With profound grief we announce the peaceful passing of Norma Doreen Smith (nee McPhail) of Nanaimo, BC on September 23, 2020.
Doreen was preceded in death by her parents Dorothy and Ernst McPhail, brothers Bobby McPhail, Gordon McPhail, and her fraternal twin Donald McPhail as well as son-in-law Len Ward.
She is survived by Robert J Smith, her husband of 66 years, her three children, Nancy, David, and Donna Smith, her sister, Bernice Flood, sister in-law Muriel McPhail, sister in-law Margaret Smith and several fabulous nieces and nephews.
She was born in 1932, in Rockglen, Saskatchewan. In her youth Doreen enjoyed dancing, curling, swimming and tennis.
In May of 1953 Doreen graduated from Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, and became a registered nurse in her working life: empathetic, hard working, thoughtful, always putting others first. Of course all those attributes carried over when she married in 1954, putting all past pursuits aside to start a family on Vancouver Island.
Doreen was an avid reader, and thoroughly enjoyed a good whodunnit (she always had them figured out). She was a skillful, enthusiastic bridge player, and a fan of all professional sports - especially major league baseball - never a World Series was missed! Nor were holidays and special occasions ever missed, as she loved to see her family gather over good food and drink. She always made it special. She made everyone feel special.
She will always be remembered for her warmth, her sense of humour and her generosity of spirit.
At her request, there will be no formal service. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-nanaimo/obituaries
Memorial donations may be made to SEVA - https://www.seva.ca/