Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Smith

SMITH MARY E. – At the Charlotte County Hospital on Monday, August 22nd, 2011, Mary Elizabeth (Holm) Smith, wife of Rev. Canon Dr Robert Smith of St Stephen, NB formerly of Saint John. Born in Bridgetown, NS, she is the daughter of the late Canon Carl & Rhoda Holm. She was educated at the University of King’s College (BA),Dalhousie University (MA), and Exeter University (PhD), before having a long and distinguished career as Professor of English at UNBSJ. In 1999 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Zaporozhye State University in Ukraine. She was very active in ministry in the parishes where her husband served -- St. Luke’s, St Clement’s, Westfield, and Renforth. In 2005 she and her husband began a work named Rose & Thorn Ministries, reaching out to countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. During this time she also completed the degree of Doctor of Practical Ministry, from the Wagner Leadership Institute. Surviving in addition to her husband Bob are her children, Christopher & Michael, 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Ruth of Thunder Bay, and Jean of Maryland, USA, 2 brothers Carl and John of Halifax, NS, nieces nephews and cousins. Resting at Humphreys Funeral Home , 20 Marks Street, St Stephen, NB (506 – 466 – 3110) where visitation will be held on Thursday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 pm. On Friday visitation will be held at St James The Less Church in Rothesay (Renforth) from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 pm The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. James the Less Church, preceded by a reception at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Woodmans Point Cemetery. Donations to the Charlotte County Palliative Care Unit or to Rose & Thorn Ministries for well drilling in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh state, India, would be appreciated by the family. On line condolences to the family or donations can be made at www.humphreysfh.com