October 24, 1924 - March 21, 2024

In loving memory ~

Alma (Georgie) Myrtle Smith (99), of Courtenay died on March 21, 2024, with family at her bedside at Glacier View Lodge.

Georgie was born on October 24, 1924, in Los Angeles California to parents George and Alma Malcolm of Victoria. Georgie returned to Saaanich with her parents and older sister (Dulcie) and later moved to Victoria where they welcomed siblings Chere and Julie.

Georgie graduated from Victoria High School and attended Career College to train in bookkeeping and shorthand. Georgie enjoyed Girl Guides, the YWCA, sports, hiking and time at Thetas Lake. When WWII broke out, Georgie became the president of the social club for military personal stationed in the Victoria area.

When the war ended, Georgie and her sister (Dulcie) took off on a yearlong trip. As gas was in short supply, they hitchhiked through the USA to Mexico City and back. They had many adventures including sleeping on patios when they ran out of money.

After returning from their adventures, the family moved to the Comox Valley in 1947 and started dairy farming. Dulcie ran the dairy and Georgie ran the deliver and sales of milk. It is during this time that Georgie met her future husband (Edgar Smith) who was a competitor in the milk business. In true Georgie fashion, she decided it was better to join forces then to fight it out and they started dating. She was totally smitten by the handsome blond-haired farmer/logger and they married in 1949 in Courtenay.

Their married life started by farming on Beaver Meadow Farms. Their humble beginnings included clearing land to grow crops and cattle, living without running water or electricity. They both worked hard and started raising a family of four boys. The farm provided a great life for their family and developed into one the largest dairy farms in the province.

Georgie and Edgar enjoyed square dancing, hiking and exploring old logging camps and mines around B.C. and collected items from those times. They also traveled extensively including South America, Europe, China, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. In their retirement, they moved to Union Bay and enjoyed time with family and grandchildren and continued to travel and playing softball.

When Edgar passed in 1991, Georgie put her energy into gardening, oil painting and table tennis and won several gold medals at the Seniors Games.

Georgie was an amazingly strong-willed woman who believed to the end she could do anything she wanted to do. She passed this belief on to her children and grandchildren, which is a wonderful legacy.

Georgie was predeceased by her parents (George and Alma), husband (Edgar) sisters (Dulcie and Chere). She is survived by her sister Julie, sons Edgar (Mary Ann), Phillip (Debbie), Rod (Joanne), Doug, grandchildren Kyla, Haidan, Ashley, Danielle, Samantha, Nicholas, Luke, Chris and great grandchildren Leland, Ivory, Quinn, Kaia, Charlie and Bodhi.

A celebration of life will be held on July 13, 2024, at the Royston Hall from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the 4-H organization where Georgie volunteered time with young people interested in agriculture and farming.