JESSIE MEAD SMITH

(née Maben) Of Toronto, ON, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at the age of 102 years, at the Dunfield Retirement Residence on December 27, 2025. Jessie is survived by her son, Maben (Robert Rainwater); daughter, Deirdre (Evan Thompson); daughter-in-law, Rebecca Smith; her grandchildren, Alastair Smith, Alexandru, Nicholas and Kai Rainwater; step-granddaughter, Elizabeth Thompson (Dan Haid); great-grandson, Tyler Rainwater; and step-great-grandson, Teddy Haid. Predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Margaret Maben; her older sister, Myra; her husband, Alastair; and her son, Derek. In Canada, the US and the UK, Jessie will be missed by her six nieces and nephews, and by her Springbett cousins. Jessie was born on March 24, 1923, in Toronto, ON, and when a very young baby, moved to Montréal, QC, with her parents and sister. While living in Montréal, Jessie was first homeschooled before she attended The Study. In 1932, the family moved to Rochester, NY. Jessie attended Sacred Heart Academy from 1932 until 1937, and then moved to Columbia School (now Allendale Columbia School) from where she graduated in 1941. A four-year Mathematics degree followed at Wells College in East Aurora, NY. After graduating from Wells College in 1945, Jessie joined Lincoln Rochester Trust Company where she worked until she married Alastair Smith on October 11, 1952. Alastair and Jessie were married for 64 years, living first in Winona, ON, for 20 years, followed by brief stints in Oakville, Ottawa and Toronto, before settling in Kingston, ON, for almost 40 years. In March 2010, Alastair and Jessie moved into the Dunfield Retirement Residence in Toronto, ON. Throughout her life Jessie volunteered with many organizations: Twig in Rochester, NY, the National Ballet of Canada and Junior League in Hamilton, ON, the Elizabeth Fry Society and Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston, ON, and wherever the family lived Jessie was an active parishioner in the Anglican Church. Jessie was a natural athlete. She participated in many sports, but it was golf in which she excelled the most. Alastair always insisted that Jessie drive from the back tees because he wanted a fair round of golf. Jessie still outdrove him. They golfed together well into their late 80s. The family offers its deepest gratitude to Arlien Dadia and Flordeliza Reyes, Jessie's devoted caregivers, and to the entire staff at the Dunfield Retirement Residence. A celebration of Jessie's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at St. Clement's Church (70 St. Clement's Ave., Toronto). The service will also be livestreamed, and the link will be provided for those unable to attend in person. A reception will be held in the Briar Hill Room immediately following the service. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to: Alzheimer Society of Toronto (www.alz.to), Philip Aziz Centre Visiting Hospice (https://paceh.ca/in-memory-of-jessie-mead-smith/), The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (www.tlcpc.org) or to the Charity of Your Choice.