Kathleen (nee Wyville) Smart passed away peacefully at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in her 87th year.
She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Smart who predeceased her in 2005.
Kathleen was the dear mother of Garry and his wife Sheila of Meaford. She was predeceased by son Larry in infancy.
She will be missed by her sister Ina (late Allen) Alexander and brother George (Pauline) Wyville, all of Meaford.
Kathleen will be remembered fondly by her sister-in-law Myrtle (late Clarence) Wiley of Meaford, and was predeceased by sister-in-law Eleanor Becker.
She was a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.
Born in Euphrasia Township, the eldest child of Everett and Annie Wyville. She attended SS 18 Riverdale before starting her working career which included Stedmans, Meaford, Junior Footwear in Markdale, Hilltop Hotel, 20 years at Amerock, and Meaford Golf Club. In between she found time to pick apples at Lambe’s for many years. Kay was an extremely hard worker.
With the closing of Amerock, Kathleen and her sister Ina started Georgian Bay Town & Country Catering. This became a family affair, with Raymond and Allen helping out along with many other family members depending on the event.
She married Raymond Smart in 1958 and they started out married life on the Smart family farm near Harkaway before moving to Meaford in 1960. In 1966, they moved to the farm on Highway 26, where Kathleen lived until 2023 when her health no longer permitted her to be there alone.
Her son Garry shared the love of farming with his parents and led them into breeding Limousin cattle, now being some of the longest Limousin breeders in Ontario. Kathleen would often speak of the cattle that she cared for and share her experience and knowledge. She loved the cattle and would often be seen with the men showing cattle at the local fairs. She spoke fondly of her favourite Australian Blue Healer Dog – ‘Silver’.
Church life was important to Kathleen and she was a very active member of the Meaford United Church, UCW the Busy Bees Unit. She was acknowledged as a life member of the UCW in 2004.
She was a loving and proud aunt to so many, spending lots of time following them through dancing, hockey, ball and music events. Her nieces and nephews were very important to her. In later years, she was a great fan of the Owen Sound Attack hockey team.
She and Raymond enjoyed times travelling and camping. They crossed Canada and often enjoyed a warm holiday in the southern U.S. A highlight was the year she joined Ina and Tracy on a trip to Austria.
Kathleen had a love for baking which she continued to develop with her years of catering. Her pies and especially butter tarts were always in demand and a special request of many.
Kathleen’s family extend their thanks to the staff of Meaford Long Term Care Centre who have shown such care and compassion to her while she resided there.
Family will receive friends for visitation at the Ferguson Funeral Home in Meaford on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 4 until 7 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at the Meaford United Church on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 11 o’clock, with visiting the hour prior to the service.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer Society, Meaford United Church UCW (cheques only please), or the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
