CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF OUR MOTHER

Doris Helga Smethurst (Eglinski) was born in the small city of Kamen, Westphailia, Germany in 1935. The fourth child in a family of six children, Doris came into a world that had just experienced the Great Depression and now was finding its way back through an industrial phase of growth and uncertainty. This early experience, that included a world war, hunger, loss of family and many hardships shaped the loving and industrious mother we respected, loved and knew was always there for us. After the war, Doris trained first at a small castle and then at a rural market business in the food prep and culinary business. It was here that she met a handsome Canadian soldier (George Smethurst), fell in love, married and made her way to a new life, a new country and a very interesting life journey.

In 1958, their first child was born in London Ontario, Susan (Reichart) Smethurst and then in 1961, a son was born, David (Heidi) Smethurst. They returned to Germany in 1962 for a three year posting as part of ongoing post war NATO response to ongoing peace in the region. Doris remained close to her German family throughout the years, hosting family in Canada and visits back to Germany. Doris went back to her culinary interests in the early 70’s when the family moved to Alberta for the last posting in George’s military career. Hired by the federal government, Doris worked at the Officers Mess where she enjoyed the challenges of a large kitchen with fabulous menus. Avid campers, George and Doris loved going to the mountains.  Grandchildren arrived in the late 80’s, and continued to the early 2000’s, seven in total, Adam (Kyra) Reichart, Ashley Reichart (Jordan), Alex Reichart (Ralf), Erika Smethurst, Evan Smethurst, Ryan Smethurst and Jill Smethurst; as well as numerous family members in Germany. Doris was predeceased by her husband, George Smethurst; parents, Fritz and Charlotte Eglinski; as well as brothers and sisters in Germany.  Doris was known as Nana and Grandma, two roles she embraced fully. Family dinners for special occasions were always a fancy feast that the entire family looked forward to. In 1998, an opportunity to move closer to her grandchildren, George and Doris moved to Medicine Hat where they enjoyed life with family and the life of retirement. Unfortunately, in 2002, George passed away which created a new chapter in Doris’s life. Since 2002, Doris enjoyed travel, family and her garden. Health issues that included cancer were all faced with the same tenacious energy Doris was known for, then came the diagnosis of Alzheimers in 2017, that changed the path of how Doris engaged in the world. Always engaged with her surroundings, Doris made the most of her new world which was hard for the family to watch such a capable and passionate person succumb to. Mom, we love you, we miss you. Our saving grace is knowing that Dad was waiting for you with open arms. Love your Family​. The Memorial Service will be held at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Rd SE, Medicine Hat, AB on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Memorial gifts in Doris’s name may be made to Alzheimer Society, 201, 770 – 6th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4J6. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Doris Smethurst.

• Date : 2022-05-27
• Location : Medicine Hat,AB.

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