A Tribute to Mom by Dr. Betty Boult on behalf of the Smith Family
Welcome everyone....thank you for joining us today. I know mom would be pleased to see all of you and would love to visit with each and every one of you. As a family, we will look forward to the opportunity to share our memories about mom with you at the reception.
I remember when we celebrated mom's 88th birthday at the home. There were about 25 to 30 people there and as I wheeled her to her room she said, with great pride, "I have lots of friends". She would feel that today.
Please know that I will be addressing my remarks directly to mom....
So my dear mom... here we are... celebrating and honoring your life.... I am pleased to be able to be the person, who, on behalf of the family, was given the privilege to be the spokesperson...
... I do want to start by saying that whenever the boys and I asked you how it was going in the George Hennig home... the first thing you told us... the staff treats me well... in fact, many times we did not have to ask... you just told us... but then again, I am sure mom that you never complained...the staff at George Hennig, like all the people in this room, respected and honored you.
The family does want to acknowledge the staff at George Hennig for making mom's last years, at her final home, very special... you are amazing caregivers and we thank you for that.
As you can appreciate we all have such strong memories of you and today, mom, I get the final word (maybe) but I am not even sure of that because when I am speaking to my family I often hear your words come out of my mouth.
But to the point... if you did not get the final word, we always knew that you got the final "look"... you know... the one that put us in our place and kept us focused... the one that served you so well as a teacher... well, I am going to tell a story on you mom that demonstrates this point.
When I was here this summer, you ended up in emergency... I had been sitting with you for quite a few hours... the doctors and nurses were quite busy and I had checked with them a couple of times and asked when they would see you... they said soon... I told you that.
You gave me "the look" and before I knew it you had stopped a nurse with an "excuse me" and indicated you had been waiting quite a long time and hoped the doctor would see you soon... sure enough, within a few minutes the doctor was there... attending to you....you always got things done .. that is just the way it was.
MOM... you started out as Gladys Maxine Jepson... you were born in 1918 in Elk Point Alberta... You started life in a huge family... 12 children... 4 sisters and 7 brothers and Helen, one of mom's sister and her family are here today... thank you for being here.
We remember you passing high school with honors at a very young age and then having to wait until you were 17 before you could go to normal school at the U of A... There was not a lot of money in the family so it was arranged that you stayed with a doctor and his family who lived near the university... you got up and did housework at 4 am for the price of your room and board before you went to class... I remember this well because when I went you and dad made sure I did not have to work during my time at school.
We all remember the stories of your courting days where dad would be playing the fiddle at dances with his band... and on a few occasions where he dared to flirt, you let him have it... although you liked us to believe you were shy... we had trouble with that one... our memories of you tell us you were very tough and very strong.
You did marry Fred (even though he flirted) and you were married to him for 49 years... dad died in 1991 just short of your 50th anniversary... the two of you had your many memorable moments in your life together... The boys and I remember sitting with you after he died and you talking about how much you missed him.
When we first moved to Stony Plain dad built a go cart for the boys and insisted that you take a ride on it... you agreed and went crashing into the back of the garage...you were black and blue from head to toe... but you wouldn't go to the doctor as you were a school teacher and you did not want anyone to know what goofy things you were doing.
You were a marvelous teacher mom... you taught for 32 years... many of your students became lifelong friends ... you loved your job and were always an advocate for the students who were struggling... you had a gift for understanding the weaknesses and strengths of your fellow human beings... and no one left your presence without feeling valued and important.
In talking to your sons about you, the adjectives that tumbled out of our mouths to describe you were many and varied but first and foremost... kind and generous... I do have to say those two words came up in every conversation... but we all knew you had a backbone of steel... we knew mom, that we could always come to you and you would give us what we needed... always... whether it be a shoulder to cry on, $$$ to get through our latest bad decision, a "tune up" to get us back on track... or just a comforting visit... You always disciplined and taught with patience. You never belittled us.
Your favorite saying was... you can do what you want in life... you just have to want to do it... I have said that so often to my own children it has now become a family mantra.
You taught us to believe in ourselves... thank you for giving us personal strength... we are who we are because of your nurturing, teaching and love.
The boys shared some special memories with me... Keith talked about having you with him daily all these past years... whether through the daily phone call or a visit... you were his friend and he shared many insightful, tender and funny moments and visits with you mom... but he did say, when you were done visiting, you let him know.
Keith marveled at what a worker you had always been... a woman who could multi task without blinking an eye.
Marvin was telling me that when he turned 16, you and dad bought him a cream colored trench coat... he decided he would go downtown and show it off... you asked him if his homework was done...he said no and you said he couldn't go until it was... he said he was going... you grabbed him by the arm, ripped off one sleeve and that was the end of that conversation... he marched upstairs and finished his work... I am sure you had that coat repaired and ready for him once he was done.
Cliff remembers when he was 12 and you were going to let me drive your car to school but instead of backing up he drove into the house! Cliff, during his many ventures with the teachers where he was made to stand in the hall could never figure out how you always seemed to know. He said he was never out there for more than a few minutes before you would step out of your classroom and shake a finger at him.
Apparently on one family vacation to British Colombia when Dad cut someone off driving. The guy yelled "Alberta farmer". Immediately you rolled down your window and yelled back "BC fruit"! You really were a lady not to mess with!
Your love of numbers and math was always shared. The rest of us remember you teaching Cliff how to use the old adding machine and letting him help each year at tax time... It was amazing you and Dad were never audited! Somehow you knew he was the one to teach math to...and not the rest of us.
Cliff told me he was always proud and intrigued with your artistic abilities. One day he mentioned a picture inside one of his Led Zeppelin albums. You painted the picture on velvet and gave it to him. It is still proudly displayed in their home.
Rick also talked about how hard you worked your whole life... you would come home from teaching all day, make dinner, do laundry, prepare lunches and clean up after everyone... but he laughingly talked about how he enjoyed when you snapped a wet towel at Keith to keep him in line... I think he forgot that you also did that to him! Rick pointed about what gracious hosts you and dad were... there was always a cup of coffee ready, and something eat... everyone was welcome in our home.
My memory of you, like the boys, can't be singled to one thing... for all of us it is a kaleidoscope ....but I do remember that when I would come home... all of my adult years... you would make me chicken and dumplings... and that gesture just reminded of how special I was to you... that was, as they say... for me... your signature move!
To all of us, you are also famous for your cinnamon buns made in the big black cast iron frying pan.
You are also famous for caring about our spouses and our children... You would do such things as making marionettes with the grandchildren and making hand made dolls for them... we all still have them mom... they may have few tears shed on them now... but they will always remind us of your love.
Gladys Maxine Smith... you were a straight shooter... you had a wicked sense of humour... you were a realist... you were independent... stubborn... once you decided things were to be done a certain way, that was it... and of course, you were a competitive card shark.
I will tell one final story that typifies your humor... When you turned 85 I was talking to you on your birthday and I said... I hope when I am your age I am as sharp, and as witty and as intelligent as you... your comment back to me... you'd better get started.
You stopped eating mom... when I saw you this summer the boys and I knew you had decided you were tired and it was time to go and be with dad... we knew that.
You and dad are together now... I am sure there will be a couple of good spats before you curl into each others arms for rest of eternity.
We will miss you mom... the world is a much better place for you having lived in it... but for us it is a much different place without having our mom in it... May you rest in peace... you well deserve it.... we love you.
Welcome everyone....thank you for joining us today. I know mom would be pleased to see all of you and would love to visit with each and every one of you. As a family, we will look forward to the opportunity to share our memories about mom with you at the reception.
I remember when we celebrated mom's 88th birthday at the home. There were about 25 to 30 people there and as I wheeled her to her room she said, with great pride, "I have lots of friends". She would feel that today.
Please know that I will be addressing my remarks directly to mom....
So my dear mom... here we are... celebrating and honoring your life.... I am pleased to be able to be the person, who, on behalf of the family, was given the privilege to be the spokesperson...
... I do want to start by saying that whenever the boys and I asked you how it was going in the George Hennig home... the first thing you told us... the staff treats me well... in fact, many times we did not have to ask... you just told us... but then again, I am sure mom that you never complained...the staff at George Hennig, like all the people in this room, respected and honored you.
The family does want to acknowledge the staff at George Hennig for making mom's last years, at her final home, very special... you are amazing caregivers and we thank you for that.
As you can appreciate we all have such strong memories of you and today, mom, I get the final word (maybe) but I am not even sure of that because when I am speaking to my family I often hear your words come out of my mouth.
But to the point... if you did not get the final word, we always knew that you got the final "look"... you know... the one that put us in our place and kept us focused... the one that served you so well as a teacher... well, I am going to tell a story on you mom that demonstrates this point.
When I was here this summer, you ended up in emergency... I had been sitting with you for quite a few hours... the doctors and nurses were quite busy and I had checked with them a couple of times and asked when they would see you... they said soon... I told you that.
You gave me "the look" and before I knew it you had stopped a nurse with an "excuse me" and indicated you had been waiting quite a long time and hoped the doctor would see you soon... sure enough, within a few minutes the doctor was there... attending to you....you always got things done .. that is just the way it was.
MOM... you started out as Gladys Maxine Jepson... you were born in 1918 in Elk Point Alberta... You started life in a huge family... 12 children... 4 sisters and 7 brothers and Helen, one of mom's sister and her family are here today... thank you for being here.
We remember you passing high school with honors at a very young age and then having to wait until you were 17 before you could go to normal school at the U of A... There was not a lot of money in the family so it was arranged that you stayed with a doctor and his family who lived near the university... you got up and did housework at 4 am for the price of your room and board before you went to class... I remember this well because when I went you and dad made sure I did not have to work during my time at school.
We all remember the stories of your courting days where dad would be playing the fiddle at dances with his band... and on a few occasions where he dared to flirt, you let him have it... although you liked us to believe you were shy... we had trouble with that one... our memories of you tell us you were very tough and very strong.
You did marry Fred (even though he flirted) and you were married to him for 49 years... dad died in 1991 just short of your 50th anniversary... the two of you had your many memorable moments in your life together... The boys and I remember sitting with you after he died and you talking about how much you missed him.
When we first moved to Stony Plain dad built a go cart for the boys and insisted that you take a ride on it... you agreed and went crashing into the back of the garage...you were black and blue from head to toe... but you wouldn't go to the doctor as you were a school teacher and you did not want anyone to know what goofy things you were doing.
You were a marvelous teacher mom... you taught for 32 years... many of your students became lifelong friends ... you loved your job and were always an advocate for the students who were struggling... you had a gift for understanding the weaknesses and strengths of your fellow human beings... and no one left your presence without feeling valued and important.
In talking to your sons about you, the adjectives that tumbled out of our mouths to describe you were many and varied but first and foremost... kind and generous... I do have to say those two words came up in every conversation... but we all knew you had a backbone of steel... we knew mom, that we could always come to you and you would give us what we needed... always... whether it be a shoulder to cry on, $$$ to get through our latest bad decision, a "tune up" to get us back on track... or just a comforting visit... You always disciplined and taught with patience. You never belittled us.
Your favorite saying was... you can do what you want in life... you just have to want to do it... I have said that so often to my own children it has now become a family mantra.
You taught us to believe in ourselves... thank you for giving us personal strength... we are who we are because of your nurturing, teaching and love.
The boys shared some special memories with me... Keith talked about having you with him daily all these past years... whether through the daily phone call or a visit... you were his friend and he shared many insightful, tender and funny moments and visits with you mom... but he did say, when you were done visiting, you let him know.
Keith marveled at what a worker you had always been... a woman who could multi task without blinking an eye.
Marvin was telling me that when he turned 16, you and dad bought him a cream colored trench coat... he decided he would go downtown and show it off... you asked him if his homework was done...he said no and you said he couldn't go until it was... he said he was going... you grabbed him by the arm, ripped off one sleeve and that was the end of that conversation... he marched upstairs and finished his work... I am sure you had that coat repaired and ready for him once he was done.
Cliff remembers when he was 12 and you were going to let me drive your car to school but instead of backing up he drove into the house! Cliff, during his many ventures with the teachers where he was made to stand in the hall could never figure out how you always seemed to know. He said he was never out there for more than a few minutes before you would step out of your classroom and shake a finger at him.
Apparently on one family vacation to British Colombia when Dad cut someone off driving. The guy yelled "Alberta farmer". Immediately you rolled down your window and yelled back "BC fruit"! You really were a lady not to mess with!
Your love of numbers and math was always shared. The rest of us remember you teaching Cliff how to use the old adding machine and letting him help each year at tax time... It was amazing you and Dad were never audited! Somehow you knew he was the one to teach math to...and not the rest of us.
Cliff told me he was always proud and intrigued with your artistic abilities. One day he mentioned a picture inside one of his Led Zeppelin albums. You painted the picture on velvet and gave it to him. It is still proudly displayed in their home.
Rick also talked about how hard you worked your whole life... you would come home from teaching all day, make dinner, do laundry, prepare lunches and clean up after everyone... but he laughingly talked about how he enjoyed when you snapped a wet towel at Keith to keep him in line... I think he forgot that you also did that to him! Rick pointed about what gracious hosts you and dad were... there was always a cup of coffee ready, and something eat... everyone was welcome in our home.
My memory of you, like the boys, can't be singled to one thing... for all of us it is a kaleidoscope ....but I do remember that when I would come home... all of my adult years... you would make me chicken and dumplings... and that gesture just reminded of how special I was to you... that was, as they say... for me... your signature move!
To all of us, you are also famous for your cinnamon buns made in the big black cast iron frying pan.
You are also famous for caring about our spouses and our children... You would do such things as making marionettes with the grandchildren and making hand made dolls for them... we all still have them mom... they may have few tears shed on them now... but they will always remind us of your love.
Gladys Maxine Smith... you were a straight shooter... you had a wicked sense of humour... you were a realist... you were independent... stubborn... once you decided things were to be done a certain way, that was it... and of course, you were a competitive card shark.
I will tell one final story that typifies your humor... When you turned 85 I was talking to you on your birthday and I said... I hope when I am your age I am as sharp, and as witty and as intelligent as you... your comment back to me... you'd better get started.
You stopped eating mom... when I saw you this summer the boys and I knew you had decided you were tired and it was time to go and be with dad... we knew that.
You and dad are together now... I am sure there will be a couple of good spats before you curl into each others arms for rest of eternity.
We will miss you mom... the world is a much better place for you having lived in it... but for us it is a much different place without having our mom in it... May you rest in peace... you well deserve it.... we love you.
