Print:
The children of Christina “Frances” Smith sadly announce her death which occurred on Friday, June 17th at SerenaCare, in Moncton, NB.
Born in Jacquet River, NB, she was the daughter of the late Irvin Hickey and Anne (Shannon) Hickey.
Frances grew up in a large, close-knit family with two brothers, six sisters, three orphaned uncles and an adopted sister. She also had grandparents, aunts and uncles and many cousins close by. Family remained extremely important to her throughout her life.
After completing commercial studies in Dalhousie, Frances worked briefly in Moncton before moving to Washington, DC, in the early 1950’s where she worked at the British Embassy.
While in Washington she married Robert “George” Smith of England and the first of their five children was born. They moved to England for a brief period before settling in Canada in 1957. Once back in Moncton, Frances joined Blue Cross as the assistant to the statistician but within a short time, put her career on hold to care for her young family.
Once the children were grown, Frances embarked on a new and fulfilling career, spending the next 25 years in real estate and residential construction with D.J. Sullivan Real Estate / Sullivan Homes. Frances was extremely proud of her work, especially designing and supervising the construction of two R2000 homes for her family.She attained her FRI (Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Canada) in 1979 and earned several real estate achievement awards before retiring in 2000 at age 72. Frances had numerous interests including membership in the Catholic Youth Organization, Catholic Women’s League, Beta Sigma Phi, Toastmistress Club, St. Augustine and Holy Family Bridge Clubs, Red Hat Society and Women’s Probus Club. Her greatest passions throughout her life were playing bridge, where she made life-long friends, and attending antique auctions.
Frances is survived by her five children: Christopher (Linda) and Evan (Judy) of Moncton, Craig (Florence DeGruchy) of Stellarton, Marsha Greenan (Blair) of Halifax and Richard (Elizabeth) of Moncton, four grandchildren: Sarah Smith, Laura Smith (Thomas Verellen), Matthew “Teric” Greenan and Ellen Greenan (Ryan Bunker) and one very special great grandson, Kale. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathleen Delahunt and Monica Bourque (Harold) of Moncton and one brother Evan Hickey (Emeline) of Riverview, and many nieces and nephews, with whom she maintained regular contact.
In addition to her parents, Frances was predeceased by her husband, Robert “George” Smith, her brothers Irvin Hickey Jr. (in infancy) and Owen Hickey, sisters Iva Jenkins, Inez Mazerolle, Ada Frenette and Theresa Shirley Hickey.
Frances spoke often about the excellent care she received from her physicians: Drs. Peter Lightfoot, Greg Donald, Julie Arsenault, Yves Thibeault, Remi LeBlanc and Jocelyn Cormier, and the extraordinary nurses at Extra-Mural. Mom’s final months were spent in the caring hands of staff at SerenaCare on Lady Russell St, Moncton.
Frances’ family was of great importance to her and she appreciated their love and support throughout her life but especially in her later years.
By request there will be no funeral. A celebration of Frances’ life will be held at the Canvas Tapestry Hotel (Hilton), 55 Queen Street, Moncton (second floor) on Saturday, June 25th from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Donations may be made in Frances’ memory to the St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Fund, Jacquet River, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be offered at the Passage Funeral Home website:
www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca
Arrangements under the professional care of
Passage Funeral Co-operative and cremation centre
625 Mountain Rd, Moncton, NB E1C 2P1
(506) 855-1145
Sincere condolences to the Smith family for the lost of your mother. She was a special person
Such a beautiful and full life lived. So sorry to hear of her passing but it seems she is leaving a great legacy in her children and grand children. Our prayers and condolences to Craig and Florence and his siblings. You will always cherish the memories
Dear Craig,
What a wonderful life well lived.Your Mom will always be with you.
Our condolences to you and your family.
Mrs. Smith was a phenomenal woman .She was the epitome of style and class and we will always remember her .Our sincere condolences go out to the family,she will be missed .
To Evan, Judy and family
Sincere condolences on the lost of your mother, grandmother. You were blessed to have her in your lives . May she live forever in your hearts.
So sorry to hear about the passing of auntie Frances, our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family on the passing of auntie Frances.
Dear Smith Family,
I am so very, very saddened to read of Frances’ passing. Bless her heart. She was a beautiful lady. Being such great next door neighbours for many years, along with Judy and Evan, gave Earl and I the opportunity to meet many other members of Frances’ wonderful family too. Please accept my sincerest condolences. May your wonderful memories sustain you all in this time of sadness.
Lorraine Boutilier
Connie Fullerton’
Sincere condolences in the death of your mother. She was a very special friend to me for many years. We spent a lot of time together throughout the years. I shall really miss her.
Your Mom was a dear friend to us Murphys. So many wonderful memories that we all will cherish. Frances shared a birthday with our dad Bill which was always recognized. As a business Women she has a huge inspiration to me. I am very blessed to continue the friendships with Frances and George’s children. Our condolences to the Smith’s
Heart felt condolences on the loss of your mother . Such a wonderful , classy woman . May she rest in heaven 🙏
Heart felt condolences on the loss of your mother . Such a wonderful , classy woman . May she rest in heaven 🙏
Our thoughts and condolences go to all of Frances’ family at this sad time. She was a wonderful lady and such an interesting conversationalist. May a lifetime of wonderful memories bring you comfort in your loss.
Chris, Linda and the entire Smith Family
Saddened to learn of the passing of your dear Mother. What an intriguing and adventuresome full and long life. Sincerest sympathy to you all.
Chris, Linda and the Smith Family
Saddened to learn of the passing of your dear Mother. Take some measure of comfort knowing she lived a long and exciting life that many would envy.
Sincere sympathy to the Smith family. Frances was a wonderful neighbour, very caring friend with the Budding Gems.She certainly was a strong woman, may she now rest in peace.
Dear Craig,
What a great life your Mom lived. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
So sorry for your loss..Frances had a large and loving family and lived a very full life and she entertained so beautifully .. Sincere condolences ….Art and Sonja Buck…
So sorry to hear that Auntie Frances passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with all the Smith Family. 🙏
Sincere sympathies to Chris, Evan, Craig, Marsha and Richard. Your mother was a wonderful, caring person, and we have wonderful memories of her and your family from your earlier days on West Lane and St. Augustine’s. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your families. Know that there is comfort in the memories of a life well lived, like your mother’s!!! May she RIP – Sincerely, Winnie and Mike McKee
So very sad to hear of Frances’s passing. She was a beautiful lady and I always loved talking to her. She was a smart businesswoman and a wonderful mother to her family. She was one of many neighborhood moms to everyone. I never got tired of her telling the kids to ‘hoover’ the room lol.
I wish I had the chance to say hi again but these are strange times.
Condolences from Cindy and I to all the family .
Michael and Cindy Whittaker
Craig, sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I know she meant a lot to you. She was a fine lady who lived a wonderful meaningful life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John & Lynn Coffin and family
My deepest condolences to the entire family . I always loved her dedication to women in business and maintaining a family balance . Mrs Smith insisted on being my very first patient when I started my practice . To think she had that courage to take on a new grad . She instilled confidence in me that will never be forgotten . We always had great conversations about home building and real estate . She had a lot of knowledge to pass on . Her family were very lucky to have had her . She will be missed .
Dear Family,
Frances was a good lifelong friend who always stayed in touch. We had many lunches and chats together. I’ll will truly miss her.
My Sincere sympathies,
Euclida Bourque
We are very sorry for your loss , we send our sympathies.
Frances was a lovely women.
She will be missed.
Deepest condolences to the entire Smith family @ this saddest of times.
I met Frances years ago at the Moncton Home Show and remember her vividly. I wanted to introduce myself and tell her that Craig was one of my mentors in the real estate business. After a few minutes of small talk, she almost sold me a house! She had great energy and enthusiasm. Verna and I want to extend our condolences to the entire family.
Dear Craig, Judy and I offer our condolences on the recent passing of your mother. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone who is so loved. May you and your family find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have to cherish forever. Know that you are in our thoughts during this sad time.
When I think of Frances I think of happy childhood memories. How she always used to say that the neighborhood was always there to help raise the children. No matter whose house we went to play the mothers would always treat the children as their own and watch over them. I will always remember that, as when Marsha came to our house my mom would watch over her and when I went to Marsha house Frances would always watch over me. She was so kind and giving. I remember when my mother passed away she offered me her car if I needed it! I will miss her very much and offer my heartfelt condolences to Chris, Evan, Craig, Marsha and Richard and their families.
Evan and family,
I was just asking my mom about your mother, as the last few times I was in Moncton at Serenacare she was sleeping when I dropped by to say hello. I was pleased that she was there as I’d missed seeing her after our mom made the move. I am so very sorry to learn of her passing.
Your mom was such a great friend and neighbour to ours, I always enjoyed our conversations, she was a gracious and generous woman whom I truly admired. I’m thinking of you and your family through this difficult time. Sending virtual hugs from our family to yours.