Obituary of Doris Evelyn Smith

Doris Evelyn Smith It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Evelyn (Hirtle) Smith of Cookville on Thursday, April 18, 2013 after a brief bout with cancer. Born on the LaHave Islands, on August 1, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Maurice and Vera (Himmelman) Hirtle. A fisherman’s daughter, Doris regaled her family with stories from her humble beginnings on Bushen Island including her memories of mending fishnets, the daily row across the channel to the mainland to go to school and her chagrin of carrying her lobster sandwich to school while her “more prosperous” classmates ate peanut butter and jam. Her formative years on the island gave Doris a solid foundation in common sense, honesty, hard work, humility and decency that are not lost upon her children, her son in-laws, and grandchildren, who will pass on these lessons, from a different time and place, to the generations that will follow. Doris left the island life behind as a young woman, moving to Bridgewater where she was employed at Maritime Tel & Tel as a telephone operator. She then met Mac, they married and together built “the Smith home” which was completed with the addition of their daughters, Joan and Susan. Doris was affectionately known as “the short order cook” as it gave her great pleasure to prepare and serve food to all who came through the door. The years were filled with happiness and laughter – summer times at the camp in Broad Cove, many card games, gardening, knitting, clam digging, berry picking – and a unique sense of humour that made her so special. As her girls went on to have families of their own, many more days were thoroughly enjoyed travelling in the Maritimes and New England and even a memorable trip to the Caribbean. The last 15 years of her life were blessed with the arrival of her grandchildren and the opportunity to do it all over again. There were many more days at Broad Cove and many more games of cards, but now with more love than ever before. We are so thankful for her time on earth and with us. We will miss her very much. Doris was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Ellsworth and Marshall Hirtle. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Mac; her daughters, Joan (Greg Andrecyk) and Susan (Mitch Wile) and grandchildren, Michael and Grace Andrecyk, Jack and Sarah Wile. She is also survived by her sisters, Vivian Sponagle, Phyllis Haughan and Nina Teal, many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m., Sunday, April 21 in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. There will be a public graveside funeral service at 11 a.m., Monday, April 22 in Brookside Cemetery, West Dublin. Rev. Norman Hovland officiating. A reception will follow at the LaHave Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.