Jean Elizabeth Smith
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Jean on Friday, September 1, 2023, in North Queens Nursing Home, Caledonia, NS.
Born in Liverpool, Jean was the daughter of the late Alvin B. and Althea Tupper (Freeman) Smith and the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Following high school in Liverpool, Jean graduated from her beloved Acadia University in 1960 before obtaining a teaching certificate in business at the Ontario College of Education. After a few years as a high school teacher, Jean embarked on a long and distinguished career which began as the executive assistant to the Chief of Medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital (McGill University) in Montreal and then as executive assistant for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. In 1982, Jean accepted a position with the United States Congress in Washington, D.C. as a policy analyst where she researched edited and managed the publication of many Congressional reports. Jean joined the Computing Research Association in Washington, D.C. in 1997 taking on many roles as the editor of their annual news letter, overseeing three international award programs, organizing most meetings and elections of the Board of Directors of the Computing Research Association. Jean enjoyed travelling, the Arts, such as Opera and the theatre and spending time with her family.
Left to mourn are her nieces, Karen Elizabeth Henley (John); Kathryn Anne Smith (Greg Rafuse) and their families.
Besides Jean’s parents, Jean was predeceased by her brother Richard F. Smith and sister in-law Joan Marie Smith.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. No flowers by request, donations may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
The family would like to thank North Queens Nursing Home for their exceptional care and love.
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Judi & Ken Minard
Karen, Kathy and families
Sincere condolences. Sad to hear of Jean’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Becky Williams
To Kathy,and Greg
Karen and John, and their families,
I am sure that Aunt Jean will be dearly missed, I had opportunity to spend some time with her, and found her to be a true lady with so much class.
She was full of stories of her travels and the incredible life she had led.
It was so nice to spend that short time with her.
Sincere condolences
Margo Hanley
Karen, Kathy and family: so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Aunt Jeanie. I remember how much her family loved her and when she came for a visit the family rallied around her. She was a lovely lady, kind and friendly. Condolences to you all. May she rest in peace.
Margo and Arthur
Nancy Johanson
Karen, Kathryn and families. My Mother was Norma Williams Jeans cousin. My Mother visited with Jean in Washington whenever she had the chance. I remember you Karen and Kathryn as little girls. I have such fond memories of Jean and extend my deepest sympathies to you all.
Nancy Johanson and family.
sandra lowe
TO JEANS FAMILY
a life well lived
sorry for your loss
Gaye Macdonald
So sorry to hear about Jean’s death. I am Betty (Ellis) Giffin’s daughter. Jean had a very distinguished career and her death will be a loss to all of you.
Mervin Bernadette Hartlen
Sadden to hear of Jeans passing. Such a lovely lady. May all your memories help you at this difficult time. our prayers are with you all.
Diane Sinclair Munro
Karen and Kathryn
Jean and I attended Acadia many years ago and we lived in the same dorm. I use to see her when she came home to Liverpool from the U.S. to visit her Mom. My sincere sympathy to you both.
Sincerely. Diane Sinclair Munro
marilyn whynot
Karen ,Kathy and families sending condolences on the loss of your Aunt Jean.
The Whites
Karen and Kathy and all the family, thinking of you all as you say goodbye to your dear Aunt. She was such a lovely lady and certainly left her mark on this world.
Diane and Donald
Joy Melanson
Karen and Kathy; I remember so well the excitement of aunt Jeannie coming to visit you. She was beautiful in so many ways. I’m sorry for your loss. Hugs
Louise Fancy
Condolences to Karen,Kathy and families..Thinking of you at this difficult time.Jean was loved by so many and we will miss her so much our Jeannie Bean .We loved to see her when she had her hair down with curls and we would all tell her how pretty she was.She definitely had spunk when she needed to use it. Rest in Peace Jean
Audree Coyle
Kathy and Karen,
My sincerest sympathy on the loss of your much loved Aunt Jean. She has left you a wonderful legacy and loved you dearly. So very often she would speak of you each with such delight and happiness.
May knowing that so many , within her circle of long time friends, will be remembering her with much fondness, bring you comfort at this time.
Sincerely,
Audree (Hulme) Coyle
Jennifer Frail
Kathy Karen and family
I’m so grateful to have had the pleasure of getting to know this beautiful soul her smile and laughter would brighten your day regardless of how dark it may be . Our dearest Jeannie Beanie you will always be in our hearts rest easy my dear friend you will most certainly be missed
Love Jennifer Frail
Robert Quinn
My late wife and I thought the world of Jean; fortunately, she visited most summers while working in the USA and at home for vacations. Will be missed. She was near my age. My sincere condolences to her family and many friends.
Valerie & Roger Wilcox
Karen, Kathy & family,
We were saddened to see your Aunt Jean had passed.You grandmother Althea , Jean’s mother lived next to us when we first moved to Bristol 51 years ago.They were most kind , Jean always remembered Garth and Cheryl with thoughtful Xmas gifts! Our thoughts are with you “ all” during this difficult time. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Anne Cameron
Sincere condolences to the families.
Sincerely, Anneand Walter
Sally Fader
Karen, Kathy & family:
I am sad to be reading this. I went to school with Jean. She was a lovely person and always so friendly. I got to see her a couple of times when she and Diane were staying at Hunts Point cottages, not too many years ago. She will be missed.
P Diane Swanzey
Jean and I go back over 80 years, and she has been my dear friend ever since. So many fond memories of Liverpool , Acadia, living and travelling together. Lots of fun and adventures. I will miss her tremendously and so will you, Karen and Kathy. My sincere condolences to you and your families. Rest easy dear Jean.
Diane ( Whalen ) Swanzey
George Paterson
Karen and John and family,
Sorry to hear the news of Jean. Thinking of you at this time of your loss.
charles king
What a distinguished & exceptional person she seemed to have been.
Sally Lloyd
So very sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. We were classmates for many years, and I recall she was very special even back then. May your wonderful memories be a comfort to you all at this very sad time.
Marjorie Powell
Kathy and Karen,
My condolences are with you over the passing of your Aunt Jean. Kathy, I remember you telling me about her when I worked on the history of the house on Bristol that she grew up in. I knew that house so well as my mother lived there 24 years so I feel I knew your aunt a little bit imagining her there as a child. She certainly went on to live an interesting life.
Marjorie
Janet Hirtle Muttart
i was saddened to learn the news about Jean.
As a teenager she was our most favored family babysitter. Later when i chose to attend Acadia University my father suggested that an afternoon visit with Jean in Tully would give me a positive introduction to residence life.
A few years ago we got together to reminisce and share some laughs.
My sincere condolences to her nieces and their families.
John and Donna Murray
Kathy, Karen and families
Your Aunt was obviously an accomplished person and enjoyed much success! Sincere condolences to you on her passing.
Harriet Lindsay Shields
I worked for Jean when she blazed a trail at the University of California, San Francisco. She was an amazing mentor and friend. Our love of San Francisco, the CA coast, music and humor made us long lasting friends.
I’m blessed to know her and by extension, her family and other friends who were dear to her. I visited once in Halifax and her eyes were just as blue and her smile just as perky as this photo. Harriet Lindsay Shields
Sherry Fugate
I am so very sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. I was her hairstylist in Virginia for at least 25 years. She was a special lady. She loved sharing her family stories and pictures with me and was always excited to go back home to visit. She will always be fond memories for me. My thoughts are with you all.
Gail Pritchard
I was sad to learn of Jean’s passing. She was a special lady and lived an amazing life full of curiosity, openheartedness, and serenity. I was fortunate to know her and enjoy years of cultural adventures with her in Northern Virginia. I also visited Nova Scotia vicariously through Jean’s stories and pictures of her beloved family and friends in Canada. My condolences to you all.
Marjory Blumenthal
Jean was a special person and a treasured friend. It was my privilege to work and to “play” with her, beginning in the early 1980s until she returned to Nova Scotia. Over the years, I heard so much about her family back home, always a source of happiness and in the end an even bigger source of support. She was much loved and will be much missed. May her memory be a blessing.