SMITH

We are very sad to announce the passing of Donna May Smith, age 80, of Scarsdale, NS, on July 30, 2026, at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, after a brief illness.

Donna was born in Woodstock, NB, and grew up in the life of an Air Force brat, moving with the family from post to post, until landing in Greenwood, NS. She was the eldest of 5 children, which shaped her motherly instincts, especially as she helped raise her cherished baby sister, Susie.

After graduating from high school, in Greenwood, she attended the Halifax Children’s Hospital School of Nursing. She became an RN in 1966 and worked as a nurse at the Halifax Infirmary.

She transitioned from Air Force brat to Navy wife after marrying Richard Smith in 1967. She raised their two daughters, Christina and Rose Ann, in Dartmouth, until they moved to her dream farm in Scarsdale, in 1983. She was very involved in this community, especially after taking on the role of Curator, of the Parkdale-Maplewood Community Museum for over 20 years.

Anyone who got to know Donna knew she had a very broad range of interests and was a voracious learner. She cooked, she crafted, she painted and she sang. She always had at least two books on the go. She loved her hobby farm and over the years she tried it all - dairy and Highland cows, ducks, a flock of Canada geese, guinea fowl and honeybees, but especially her beloved garden, and to this day, her chickens. She loved her pets as well, always having at least 2 cats and dogs at a time.

Donna adored children – her grandson Callum, and all her various ‘adopted’ grandchildren too. In the past several years one of her favorite weekly activities was attending ‘Toddler Tuesdays’ where she could spend time with all her friends’ little kids and grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her husband, Richard; her daughters, Christina Andrecyk (Bill) and Rose Bhardwaj (Anil); her grandson, Callum Andrecyk; her sisters, Rose Ann Janzen and Susan Janzen; and her brother, John Janzen. She was predeceased by her father, Russ Janzen; her beloved mother, Leota Janzen; and her brother, Phil Janzen. We would also like to make a special mention of her cherished best friend and co-conspirator, Eliza Schurman, who was a bright light in her life.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held in the autumn. Donations in her memory may be made to the Parkdale-Maplewood Community Museum or Hope for Wildlife. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to C.F. Sweeny’s Funeral Home, New Germany, where online messages of condolence may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.