Janet Clare Bryce Smith passed on peacefully in her chair, while being sung to after her nap, on March 30. She was 98. Janet was born October 30, 1923 in Indore, India, the fifth of six children. She spent her childhood in India and retained an affection for that country all her life. She came to Canada at age 11 with her missionary parents, staying on with older siblings to go to high school in Canada when her parents returned to India.
Janet graduated from the University of Toronto, where she met her husband Robert (Bud) Smith. They were married in 1945 and enjoyed a loving marriage for 40 years until his death in 1985. Bud’s work caused them to live in several places in the United States. Janet became an integral part of each community, as well as a dedicated homemaker and mother of their three children. An accomplished pianist, she was often called upon to play in a variety of settings. She was an active church member and a volunteer in many charitable organizations.
A highly intelligent and active woman, Janet was always up for adventure, fun, good books, and travel. She and Bud developed circles of friends by playing tennis and in bridge groups. After his death, Janet continued to welcome family and friends to her home, make the effort to travel wherever needed to stay close to her extended family, and take part in travel tours where she could broaden her experiences.
For the last seven years Janet has lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Great Barrington, where she participated in the Congregational church and the Senior Center, and became a familiar part of the neighborhood as her caregivers took her for long walks in her wheelchair. Although more physically limited than in her canoeing and hiking days, Janet continued to show spunky courage and a love of family visits, sunsets, gardens, books and music.
Janet leaves her three children, Cheryl (and Collins), Brian (and Susan), and Barry (and Katharina). She was the beloved “Nanny” of eight grandchildren (and their spouses), Ryan (Andrea), Deirdre (Justin), Robin, Erik (C.G.), Gwenn, Miranda (Ethan), Jacob and Luca, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Audrey, Madeleine, Llewellyn, Winifred, Justice, Auley, and Poppy. She was also cherished by a great number of nephews and nieces. She lived a full and vital life and will remain an inspirational treasure in the hearts of many people. Condolences may be made through the Birches-Roy website.
