Dorothy Smith, lifelong member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, passed away February 1, 2010. She was born May 6, 1915 and lived her whole life in the Hamilton area to the best of my knowledge.
She was a member of the W.M.S. and the Thursday Bible Study, and attended each meeting, health and weather permitting.
In spite of being blind and hard of hearing, she continued to carry on with her life.She lived in her beloved apartment on Bay Street, with the wonderful assistance of CCAC and her children, Judith and Ian.
After a bad fall, she no longer could stay there for safety reasons and had to go into a nursing type of environment. At the time of her death, she was still waiting for a permanent spot.
Carmen, Wally and I, and many more from St. Paul's came for the visitation at Marlatt Funeral Home on King Street East. Her funeral was held at St. Paul's and Dr. Dickie (retired minister) did the service. It was very well attended . A lovely lunch was served downstairs in the church hall after the service.
I shall miss Dorothy. Her friendly smile and welcoming ways is a great loss to St. Paul's. She has seen St. Paul's emerge from a church for the wealthy with reserved spots (pew rental), male elders wearing formal attire, to a place where street people can come and be welcomed.
She has lived through World Wars, the Cold War and other bitter skirmishes, man pitted against man. She has survived the depression and also this current recession and in spite of it all, she has managed well.
I was fortunate enough to interview her several years ago and the wealth of her memories brings a smile to my face, even now.
We sure can learn how to live from our elders!
Dorothy, I shall miss you!
"He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Psalm 91, vs. 11
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