Anna Smith

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Gudrun Smith, better known as ‘Goy’ to friends and family, on Tuesday, January 6th. She died peacefully surrounded by her immediate family.

Goy was born on April 15, 1932 in Piteå, Sweden. She was the eldest sister to Björn, Inger and Karin and grew up in Umeå. She met her husband, Leslie Smith from England, in Mariestad and soon thereafter departed to the Far East as Les worked as a civil engineer wishing to travel and work overseas.

Goy gave birth to her first child, Peter, in 1956 while living in Malaysia and two years later gave birth to Christopher while temporarily back in England before departing for Hong Kong. After four years in H.K. the family moved to Singapore for three years before moving back for a three year stay in Horley, England. In 1969 the family moved to Ottawa, Canada and became proud Canadian citizens soon after.

Goy and Les eventually moved to the Niagara region while the boys were studying and playing music in the Toronto region. Goy was a lover of family, nature and music and encouraged the boys to follow their hearts into the world of music.

Les died peacefully in August, 2020 in Fonthill, Niagara. Soon after, Goy followed Chris and his wife, Teresa, to Ottawa where she enjoyed living out her final years.

She will be sorely missed by those who knew her and forever in the hearts of those who were close.