Obituary of Jane Mackay SMITH (nee Clow)

March 8, 1934 - Shelburne, Nova Scotia

May 24, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

“They were years worth living”

From the Dalhousie Law School Yearbook, 1956, page 43:

“Entering Dal in 1950, Jane established herself as an outstanding actress, performing in various Dal productions. At the Hall she endeared herself with her impromptu impersonations. Law school saw her in 1952. She will continue to charm her associates and to enliven proceedings with her sense of humour and repartee.”

Often panegyrical and on occasion ruthlessly pejorative, Jane Smith continued to charm her associates and enliven proceedings with her sense of humour and repartee until her death from a cardiac event on May 24, 2021.  In terms of her own death, her expectation had been that she and her husband Clark H. Smith (1930-2001) would jump off a cliff together, but that didn’t happen. Certainly, she would have rather predeceased her daughter Emily M. Smith (1965-2001), but that didn’t happen either.

Jane died with dignity in her home and was taken out, as she wished, feet first. All her years were years worth living. 

Among her many community service works was as part of the team who established the Palliative Care unit at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and her long-standing support of the Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre in the Charbonneau Cancer Institute. Jane was successfully treated for cancer in Calgary, but that was later.

She leaves behind her son Tony, grandson Torben, extended family members & friends, and an inexhaustible supply of stories, anecdotes and testaments to the power of asking good questions.

In accordance with Jane’s wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers or attending a service, please grow the plant of your choice, or donate to the charity of your choice or to the Charbonneau Cancer Institute (https://charbonneau.ucalgary.ca/giving). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.