We Remember
SMITH, Judy
—
1940 – 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Judy Elizabeth Smith (née Cranston) on December 14, 2020. Born in Vancouver in 1940, Judy married Geoff Smith in 1963 and they had 3 sons. She is remembered by her sons Derek (Bridget), Ian (Jenny), and Kevin (Annie) as well as six grandchildren: Jessica, Peter, Caitlin, Beatrice, Noah, and Isiah, who loved their Grandmother as she did them, “to the moon and back”.
Coming from a career in education, Judy led hundreds of Okanagan Valley students to explore the Mediterranean aboard the S.S. Uganda which offered marvellous educational cruises in the late 70s. This sparked a rewarding career in travel through which she developed many long-lasting friendships.
Judy was never a tourist when she travelled, and inspired her groups to share her perceptions of the world through the eyes of an inquisitive explorer. She considered Turkey her second home and referred to her friends as her Turkish Family. She developed a love for all people, cultures & religions & her world view provided great lessons for all who travelled with her.
Judy supported the relocation of Syrian refugees, often opening her house to new arrivals & helping with English lessons to ease their transition to Kelowna. She championed “The Helping Hands”, a charity providing an educational program for disadvantaged girls in Turkey, and donated funds for several other worthy causes around the world.
Even while battling cancer Judy continued to travel to her favourite places. For her, “a plane ticket was her best medicine”. She was truly grateful to the Hospice Society & for the kind support of nurses, doctors & counsellors who, through MAiD helped her on her last journey. This allowed Judy to fulfill her wish to participate in the celebrations of her life & to depart peacefully on her own terms.
Judy loved to be surrounded by flowers. In lieu of flowers please send a donation in Judy’s memory to the BC Cancer Foundation.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Share with Others:
BC Cancer Foundation Link: bccancerfoundation.com
Condolences
Sending my condolences to all of Judy’s family and friends near and far.
Judy made a huge impact in our lives and we were so blessed to have her as our Canadian Momma Bear. She inspired Don and I with her many travel adventures, words of wisdom and most importantly her kind and generous heart.
You will live in our hearts forever Momma B, rest easy!
Love Deborah and Don
In deepest sympathy. Judy was a teacher. and a trouper.
We may have crossed paths somewhere in the world, I am also a forever traveler and enjoyed sharing with clients interested in Art and Architecture. What a marvelous video with pictures of her full life sharing the world with others. My condolences to the family, she lived life well with the good that she shared with so many others, and the wonderful memories for the family.
Our deepest sympathy to your family. She was a special lady and will be dearly missed.
When tomorrow starts without Me.
When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand; The angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above, And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home, for God looked down, smiled at me, And told me ” Welcome Home.” So when tomorrow starts without me, Don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.
Amazing video Judy and such an adventurous life. How special has your life been. Your friendliness to others when I knew you at Magee High School carried on into the rest of your life. How special! My condolences to all the family at such a sad time. God bless.
Judy was my friend extraordinaire for almost 30 years. She inspired vitality, curiosity and a spirit of adventure in so many. As I wrote to her before she left us, “This may be your final wander tour on Earth but once Heaven knows you are on the way, they will have passports available for a host of celestial wanderers.” Sending love and God Speed from Suzy and John Swan, Burlington, Ontario.
My deepest sympathy to Judy’s family. Judy touched so many people in her lifetime with her compassion and her optimistic
spirit. What a special gift it was to become her friend and travel with her.
Sterling and I took SLR classes from Judy and marveled at how efficient she was in planning and making her trips so
much fun. Fun was central to who Judy was. We enjoyed sharing lunches at Sandalwood with her, Jean Edwards and her Turkish daughter. I will miss that spark and creative spontaneity . My condolences to all who loved her.
Our deepest condollances to Judy’s family. We met Judy while travelling through Turkey in 2012 and remained friends ever since. Every few years we’d give Judy a call to say we were in town and she’d always drop everything and invite us over for lunch, or dinner, or to stay a few days. She was an adventurous and sweet woman who always thought of others before herself.. We will always remember our time together in Turkey and on her patio overlooking her garden and the lake.
Our deepest condollances to Judy’s family. We met Judy while travelling through Turkey in 2012 and remained friends ever since. Every few years we’d give Judy a call to say we were in town and she’d always drop everything and invite us over for lunch, or dinner, or to stay a few days. She was an adventurous and sweet woman who always thought of others before herself.. We will always remember our time together in Turkey and on her patio overlooking the garden and the lake.
Please accept our sincere condolences. Judy was such a special person and caring friend. She opened our eyes to the joy of travel and left her mark on so many people around the world. She will be dearly missed but her legacy will live on.
To Ian, Derek, and Kevin, and all the Smith family, I am so saddened to hear of Judy’s passing. She was an amazing women who enriched the lives of so many people. She will always have a special place in my heart and memory.
I discovered just today, February 8, 2023, the sad news that my beloved Grade Five teacher, Miss Judy Cranston passed away a little over two years ago. I was a member of her very first class of students. Mrs. Smith was a kind, caring and inspiring teacher whom everyone adored! When we were in Grade Seven, Miss Cranston got engaged to be married and our school’s choir was invited to sing during her wedding ceremony! What a thrill that was for all of us! The spring of our high school graduating year, Mrs. Smith invited all of the girls from our class to her home in West Point Grey for a reunion. It was a large gathering and so much fun! Mrs. Smith was sincerely interested in knowing what future plans we all held and she wanted us to know that as her first class of students that we were all extra special. (I’m sure though that every student she ever taught was made to feel just as special!) As a retired elementary teacher myself, I remember the impact that she had on so many of us students; she taught our lessons with great enthusiasm but she also knew that building healthy, supportive relationships with her students was the key to making us receptive and engaged learners. We didn’t just learn academic skills and “facts,” because Mrs. Smith emphasized the importance of developing and nurturing positive character traits which would help us to become valuable world citizens. Mrs. Smith was an inspiring example to me as I began my thirty-plus years of teaching. Unfortunately, the last time I saw and spoke to her was that reunion that Mrs. Smith hosted for us almost fifty-five years ago. My condolences to her family and countless close friends! You must all miss her so much! What a touching and beautiful obituary and what an amazing and inspiring woman the world has lost! Her life and legacy remain to inspire others!