Adaea Joan Smart ❤

Peacefully, our sweet, strong, and beautiful little girl, surrounded by her brother Alden, and Dada, passed away in her Mama’s arms at the BC Children’s Hospital. On November 29, 2012, Aaron and Liberty received their greatest gift of all; being parents to the most special little girl. She brought a sense of purpose to our lives which made every minute of every day better. From an early age, Adaea was drawn to the water, beginning with her baths at home and as she grew older, swims at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre. If there was water around, she would swim in it. Her favourite places to swim included the Marina Beach in Oak Bay (yes, cold salt water), Lake Joseph in Muskoka, where Liberty has a family cottage and Weston Lake, on Salt Spring Island. During her time at BC Children’s, it was swimming she missed most. Born into a family of dancers (thank you Gran Gran), Adaea loved to dress up and dance to any music playing. She participated in many dance classes but freestyle dancing at home with her brother was her favourite.

Enjoying neighbourhood parks and play spaces with Alden was a daily routine of hers (after a daily morning olive bun visit from Tom of course). Adaea very determinedly mastered the monkey bars at a young age. Adaea started Kindergarten at St. Patrick’s School in September 2017 and enjoyed every minute of her time there. Her school career was cut short when on December 19, 2017, Adaea was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Adaea spent the majority of the following year as an inpatient receiving 7 rounds of chemotherapy.  Following her first four rounds, Adaea was declared in remission and we were able to come home for almost three months.

We had a wonderful summer, embracing every moment, with a highlight trip to Camp Goodtimes, where Adaea and Alden swam and experienced new opportunities with other families going through similar journeys. In August 2018, Adaea relapsed with AML and we spent the remaining months at Children’s Hospital. On  November 29, 2018, her birthday, she received a Bone Marrow Transplant.  Although she never swam again, her time in hospital was happy. She handled all the medication with such strength and bravery and never let it get her down. She never complained and touched the hearts of so many nurses, doctors, child life specialists, and volunteers. She was sassy and sweet and woke up each day wanting to play. The 8th floor became our home and we all developed friendships with the incredible team of support.

We are forever grateful to everyone at Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald for making our time in Vancouver as good as it possibly could be, given the circumstances. We would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our amazing community of Oak Bay and Victoria for the endless support of our family.

Adaea is survived by her brother, Alden, Mama, Liberty, and Dada, Aaron.  Her Uncle Barney, Aunt Buffy, and cousins, Tavin, Tate, and Kyla. Her Uncle Rainbow, Aunt Sarah, and cousins, Zayden, Auley Mae, and Laurelle. Her Uncle Oliver, Uncle Drew, Uncle Corey, and Auntie Jett. Her Auntie Leah, Uncle Paul, and cousins, Colton and Blake. Her grandparents Tom and Jojo, Steve and Julie and her great-grandmother Joan Randall, Adaea’s middle namesake.

Adaea was strong and graceful in life and in her battle with AML but the disease was bigger than her. She will always be in our hearts and we will miss her every day.

A Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 1:30 pm.

Tributes, if desired can be made in Adaea’s name to the charity Balding for Dollars or Ronald McDonald House Charity, two charities that provided opportunities and a home away from home for Adaea and her family.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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