We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Sarah Grace Smith on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Sarah was born on July 23, 1965 in Andover, Hampshire UK. She attended the Winton School and completed her education at Sixth Form College. After a short career in Hotel Housekeeping Management Sarah moved to Canada in 1992, following in her Dad’s footsteps, as he was born in Red Deer, Alberta, a descendant of the Gaetz family. She came to really love this part of Canada that she called home – she embraced Canada and Canada embraced her back!
Sarah started her career with the BC Government in 1993 and during the course of her time there she took many additional educational courses. It was due to her perseverance and amazing worth ethic that she rose through the ranks before ending her career as a Director in the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
Sarah was a very sociable, fun-loving and caring person who was beautiful both inside and out. One of her great pleasures was sitting by the ocean, but her greatest pleasure was the true love she shared with friends and family alike. Sarah was a great friend to many people. She was kind, thoughtful and just one of those people who was so good at keeping in touch and remembering all the special events in other people’s lives. If it was your birthday, anniversary or other reason for celebration Sarah remembered and would be there for you.
She is survived by her two brothers, Simon (Evelyn) and Richard (Linda), nephews Lewis (Emma), Robin (Emma) and Ben (Rebecca) and nieces Claire (Craig) and Hannah (John) and several great-nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive on Thursday, December 9, 2021. A reception will follow. For further details surrounding attendance (in-person or virtually via Zoom), please email SarahGSmithService@gmail.com by Sunday, December 5, 2021. We request that all attendees be double vaccinated.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation, a charity that was close to Sarah’s heart, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
17 Responses
I was shocked and my heart so saddened to hear of Sarah’s sudden passing. We met in 2010 while working on a project together, and she immediately made me feel like more than a co-worker, we were friends.
There was always joy and laughter with Sarah, and she always had a smile…no matter what.
Sarah is one of those truly genuine, kind, caring and loving souls that is a rare gem to find. I will always have you in my heart and memories Sarah.
Your bright light will shine forever in your friends and loved one’s hearts. My most sincere condolences to your cherished family.
So sorry to hear this sad news. Sarah was a good friend and work colleague of my ex wife Anne, and myself back in the UK before she left for Canada.
She was always such a happy person who regularly would babysit our daughter Kristina.
Good to hear she had a successful career and life in Canada.
She will be sadly missed.
I worked with Sarah at the ministry. Sara was a beautiful and generous soul. I loved her laugh and kind heart. I sold fifth Avenue jewelry and she always loved the sparkly bits and bobs it matched her personality. She will be in my fondest memories.
I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for three years on a project in Victoria. Sarah cared deeply about her work, the purpose in that work and that it benefited British Columbians in need.
I was very saddened to hear of Sarah’s passing.
She was a great team member, a colleague and someone I learned much from.
My condolences to her family and friends closest and dearest to her.
I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news of Sarah’s passing. A kind, caring and positive individual who made a difference in the world. My sincere and deepest sympathies to her family and friends left behind. Her absence will be felt deeply. Rest easy Sarah. x0x
I worked with Sarah for a couple of years and well remember her for being a generous and kind person who exuded intelligence. If you met Sarah on the elevator at the beginning of your day, it would just set you up with a smile. And Sarah had a smile that would brighten the room.
May her memory be a blessing to her loved ones.
Patricia Miles
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Sarah’s sudden passing. I met Sarah back in 2001 and we worked together for about 14 years and I feel very grateful to have had her as my friend and colleague. She supported me and many others through ‘thick and thin’ with her kindness, humour, sense of purpose, hard work, and her ability to make everyone feel welcome and part of a team. I have many wonderful memories of our time together and the laughter and tears we shared along the way. I loved to hear her stories of her travels and of her family in the UK and to experience her special ‘spark’ for life.
You will be very much missed my friend. My condolences to your family and friends.
Such a beautiful and kind soul, you will be dear missed, my friend.
It is such shock to hear of Sarah’s sudden passing. She was a truly special person who was thoughtful, kind and generous. She enriched the lives of those she came in contact with and was a steady, capable force at work that often found a way through what others would consider dead ends.
I know that the many great memories we share as her friends will help bring us comfort and keep her always alive in our hearts.
I was so shocked and saddened to learn about the passing of Sarah. I got to know Sarah when we worked together on the Integrated Case Management project about ten years ago. I always admired Sarah — she was so capable, committed and so fun to work with. She really brought a positive attitude to her work and made even the toughest assignment easier because of her kindness, humour, and how she became such an integral part of our team. She really made a big difference to many of us and I know she will be missed. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
You will be so missed Dearest Friend, we loved you so much!
But we have lots of beautiful memories that we will treasure
Chris and Chris