Jean HEXIMER

Jean Smith, 68 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jean Marcella Smith (nee Heximer), 68, of RR#2 Prescott. She died peacefully at the Brockville General Hospital on July 20, 2006 after a brief battle with cancer. Jean was born in Fort Erie, Ontario on Sept. 21, 1937 to Carl and Mary Heximer. She was raised and educated in Welland, Ontario, where she received her Secondary School graduation diploma in the Commerce program at Welland High and Vocational School. Jean then joined the Toronto Dominion Bank in Welland, Ontario where she met Lawrence (Larry) W. Smith. They were married on at St. John's Lutheran Church in Snyder, Ontario on Sept. 15, 1962. After marriage, Jean left the bank to become a homemaker, proud mother and community volunteer. During this time she was supportive of her husband in his career, moving with him to each of his postings in Preston, Barrie, London, Windsor and Pickering before settling in Prescott in 1976. They raised their family in Riverview Heights and then later moved to their farm on Hillbrook Road, where they planned to spend their retirement years together. Jean never let her long and painful battle with rheumatoid arthritis stop her from being an active member in her community. She was an ardent volunteer with the local branch of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She also volunteered her time with hospitals and nursing homes in the Brockville area. She was a member of the Legion Seniors and held the post of treasurer for this club. She was also an avid curler for many years and was proud to have served as the first female president of the Prescott Curling Club. Jean truly loved to travel and had many wonderful trips with her husband, her family and her close friends. Camping was an annual family event each summer when her children were young. Later trips to Arizona, Barbados, the Panama Canal and other exotic locations with family and friends also became the fodder for many happy memories. Jean's greatest passion, beyond her grandchildren of course, was playing cards. She enjoyed euchre at the Legion in Prescott, blackjack at the casinos during the seniors' trips, and more recently Wednesday night poker. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Mondays with the "Bridge Girls" was always the highlight of her week! She is survived by her three children. She will be sadly missed by her son Greg, his wife Brenda and their children Alina, Lauren and Benjamin; her son Tim, his wife Cindy and their children Taylor and Dorrie; her son Jeff, his wife Pam and their children Hannah, Bradi, Abigail and Olivia. She is also survived by her sister Doris MacDonald of Deep River, her brother Don Heximer of Fonthill, sister-in-law Norma Heximer of Fort Erie and her many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jean was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother Harvey Heximer and her sister-in-law Marlene Heximer. Friends called at the Chris Slater Funeral Home in Prescott on July 22 and the family held a private funeral service officiated by Rev. Ian MacLean at Roselawn Memorial Gardens on July 24. Memorial donations were directed to the Arthritis Society through the Chris Slater Funeral Home.