Arlene Ivy (Kermode) Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our much-beloved mother/grandmother/sister/aunt/cousin, Arlene Smith, in Campbell River, on September 10, 2023.

Arlene Ivy Smith (nee Kermode) was born in Vernon, BC, on January 22, 1943. Daughter of Doug and Nesta Kermode, Arlene was related to some of the early pioneers of the community (Jack and Marion Kermode) and was active in the All-Saints Anglican Church and Girl Guides until she graduated from Vernon Secondary School in 1961 and headed off to Nursing School at Royal Columbian Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1964.

Arlene married Ronald Smith, whom she met in High School, in 1966 and they moved to Nanaimo. Their first child, Sean, arrived in 1968 when she and Ron were living in Penticton. Their daughter, Jillian, arrived in 1970 when they lived in Burnaby. Their final move was to Vernon in 1974. Arlene put aside her nursing career to be a full-time mother, and once again became an active member of All Saints Church and the Girl Guide program. One of her great joys was spending summers as a Camp Coordinator and Camp Nurse at Camp Owiassi, and skiing on Tillicum Ski Hill in the winter. In 1987, following her daughter's graduation from high school, Arlene returned to nursing and worked most of the remainder of her career at the Polson Extended Care Wing at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, before retiring in 2005. In her retirement, she became very active in one of her many passions, genealogy, which she eventually became a recognized source of Vernon and Pioneer Family histories.

In 2012 Arlene moved to Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, to be closer to her son and two of her three grandchildren. Here, too, she became an active member of the Church (St. Peter’s Anglican), the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization), the Trefoil Guild (Girl Guides), CRGS (Campbell River Genealogy Society) and her Scrabble Club.

Arlene made many friends around the country and around the world, through her work with charities, genealogy, and just plain travel. Arlene had travelled across Canada, to the US, Europe, China, and Australia, plus many trips to Mexico. One of her favourite trips was to Salt Lake City, where she was one of the rare few to spend time at the Mormon Church Library and Archives, indulging in her passion for genealogy. Always with a smile, quick with a laugh, and able to hold her own in any conversation on nearly any subject, she was a social butterfly welcome wherever she went. Her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren, who will miss her so very much.

Arlene is survived by her son Sean (Andrea), daughter Jillian (Don), grandsons Morgan, Ian, and Benjamin, sister Beverly (Arnold), and brother Dale (Lynn), as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm (dress MUST be colourful) in Campbell River. A second celebration will be held in Vernon, in the Spring, before she is interned next to her beloved grandmother, Marion.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Operations Smiles – Canada or Heart and Stroke Foundation are appreciated.