LUCIENNE AGNES MARIE SMITH

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LUCIENNE AGNES MARIE SMITH

(BRICHON)

October 2, 1930 - June 25, 2024

Lucienne Agnes Marie “Lucy” Smith passed peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Born October 2, 1930, on a farm near Toutes Aides, Manitoba, Lucy was the eldest of seven children to Alberta and Raphael Brichon. Lucy moved to Brandon to begin her nursing career starting at the Brandon Mental Health Centre where she met the love of her life and future husband Henry “Bud” Smith.

Lucy/Mom was loving, caring, bold and stubborn (she was after all French). Stubborn as in; a married career nurse with three young children going back to high school to finish her diploma. Subsequently she received her RN and followed with the role of Head Nurse at the Brandon General Hospital (Emergency) and then to Head Nurse of the General Hospital in its entirety.

She had many passions in her life. Not least of which was her husband, Bud. Mom and dad had so many wonderful years together and it was mom who summoned the courage and strength to care for dad at home as he battled and finally lost his fight with cancer. Mom loved her time in Arizona that she and dad shared. As well she and Garth had many enjoyable and memorable winters in Apache Junction.

Mom had several other passions in her life She was an avid card player; first playing 500 with family members, her parents, anyone who would sit down at the table (Smitty and Irene we regulars). She also became a serious Bridge player (for whatever reason – I mean who can figure out that game??). She and Garth joined several “leagues” and played several times each week.

Mom also spent a few years working with Aunt Marlene Brichon at the Brandon General Hospital nurses’ auxiliary Nearly New store. A nice way to get out and meet people and help the community at the same time. A side note – our family cannot ever begin to thank Uncle Andre and Aunt Marlene for all the tremendous support they have given mom over the many years. Thank you seems so inadequate, but it is from the heart.

Mom was also a regular at St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Brandon. Weekly attendance was a must, until failing health made it impossible to attend. (Funny story how my dad always said he had “paid” for the giant cross on top of the church).

Mom also loved her garden. Besides the copious quantities of vegetables, she loved her flowers. From roses, to peonies to lilies (and whatever the hell the other ones were) she had a way of making everything beautiful. Mom received numerous accolades and recognition for her flowers from Brandon in Bloom and it was not uncommon to have people drive past her house on Kirkcaldy Drive to stop in front and take photos.

Her other passion was of course cooking. So amazing; from liver and onions, to Swiss steak to chicken, mom could do it all. No recipe needed, just a bit of this, a dash of that and a little more salt. As well, like all of her sisters (you know who you are) she loved to bake. Cookies, pies, cakes and exotic desserts were her specialty. No one who sat down for dinner at her house ever left the table without pie and ice cream, a slice of rum cake or both.

She also loved her children. She made a point of speaking openly and honestly to each of us (hair to long, or too short, get rid of that beard, easy on the booze). With us, as with her entire family, all were welcome, and her house was (besides being like a furnace --- what is with old people anyway???) open to all who knocked.

Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children Dolores, Natalie, Robert (Allison), her grandchildren Erin (Taylor), Brian, Meghan, Amy (Keith) great grandsons, Noah and Emerson. Life partner of 30 years Garth Dunham; brothers and sisters Irene, Yvonne, Simon (Tom), Leon (Alida), Andre (Marlene); brother- in-law Bruce and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, loving husband Henry “Bud” Smith, her adoring son Karl and all of the Smith siblings, her beautiful sister Claire Smith, and her brothers-in-law Louie Beauchmin, Antonio Grenier and Charles Smith.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate Lucy’s Life will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Monday, July 22nd at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lucy may be made by cheque to the BRHC Auxiliary, c/o Nearly New Shop, Unit D 601-9th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4B3

Mom. We will miss you; we will cherish our memories

and remember all you have taught us. We love you. The family.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 29, 2024, Jun 29, 2024