Obituary of Helen Smith

The family of Helen Smith of Yorkton, beloved wife of Herb Smith, sadly announce her passing on Sunday, September 3, 2023 in Yorkton. She was 80 years of age.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Shelley Morris officiating.

CLICK HERE to view the live-stream.

The interment will take place in Garden of St. Matthew, Yorkton Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to STARS Air Ambulance Service or to Home Care for Palliative Care c/o the Saskatchewan Health Foundation as gifts of remembrance.

On September 3, 2023, Helen Audrey Smith, beloved wife of Herb passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer.  She passed with her family at her side.  Helen was 80 years of age.

Helen was born May 14, 1943, on a farm near Churchbridge, Saskatchewan to Halli and Maria Laxdal.  Helen was the fourth of five siblings: Lawrence, Chris, Ken, and Gordon.  At the age of seven, the family moved to Yorkton, where Helen attended Fairview School and later Yorkton Collegiate.  In her high school years, she had many memorable moments, one of which was entering and winning a Miss Yorkton competition. In her last year of high school, she completed a secretarial course  

Helen worked for a short time at a GM dealership followed by an office position with a local optometrist. 

Helen and Herb met through a mutual friend and began dating. They were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on July 18, 1964. 

In 1966, they welcomed their son Chad, and two years later their daughter Tina.  Through Herb’s work, they transferred to Weyburn where they lived for four years, during which their daughter Tara was born.  They returned to Yorkton in 1976, and continued to raise their young family.

Herb and Helen enjoyed travelling to many destinations such as England, the Maritimes, Singapore, Paris, Venezuela, Acapulco, Jamaica and Hawaii.  Later in retirement they enjoyed wintering in Texas, Arizona, and also a memorable 3-month trip to New Zealand.

Helen was active in the local chapter of the Associated Canadian Travellers Ladies Auxiliary, serving many years on the executive. At home, Helen enjoyed reading and creating all sorts of crafting projects. She even entered the local Sunflower Craft Show as an exhibitor. Her cooking was also top notch and everyone that tried her turkey stuffing said it was legendary! Once the grandchildren began to arrive, Helen’s focus was always with them and their activities. Helen was always their biggest fan.

The one place dearest to Helen’s heart was Crystal Lake. It was a place where she could enjoy all her family and friends to the fullest.  

Helen was predeceased by her parents Halli and Maria Laxdal, brother Lawrence Laxdal (in infancy), mother and father-in-law Edward and Blondina Smith, and nieces Heather Laxdal and Sandra Irving.

Helen will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 59 years, Herb Smith; her son Chad Smith (Angela) of Yorkton; granddaughter Amanda Stephenson (James); great grandsons Sonny, Teddy, and Lewis; daughter Tina Parsons (Jay) of Calgary; granddaughters Morgan and Hailee; daughter Tara Schuster (Kelly) of Yorkton; grandsons Ashton and Ryan. Sister Chris Irving; and brothers Ken Laxdal (Elsa) and Gordon Laxdal (Bernice); along with numerous cherished nieces and nephews, extended family, and great friends.