It is with heavy hearts we announced the passing of Eleanor JOAN Adele Kemp Smiley peacefully at Greystone Village on Saturday, April 24th, 2021 in her 97th year. Eleanor Joan Adele Kemp was born in Ottawa, on November 13, 1924 to Jessie (nee Cantrall) and John (Jack) Kemp. She spent most of her early years in Ottawa, with the exception of a memorable period in Gogama, in northern Ontario, during the Depression.
Joan was a devoted wife to the late Donald Smiley, loving Mother to David (Ellen Allen), Linda (the late Sebastien Ieria) and Donna, and adoring grandmother to Shannon Ieria (Dean Isaacs) and Eric Smiley. Great grandmother to Sloan and Quinn. For Joan, summers in the 1960’s, meant piling her children into the family station wagon and driving to the East Coast to camp. A favourite spot was Cavendish National Park on Prince Edward Island. She loved to travel - visiting Bermuda, England, Scotland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Montserrat, Dominican Republic and cruising to Alaska and Spain. In later years, the cottage and boathouse (affectionately know as ’The Kamp’) built by her father on Round Lake, expanded as the family grew and became the centre of summers for her and her family.
Joan was passionately involved with St. Martin’s Church for decades. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for 71 years, serving as Chapter President and on the City Council. When she moved into her condo, of course, she joined the Social Committee, Canasta Card Group and welcomed new neighbours with a jar of her famous ‘Peach & Cantaloupe Marmalade.’ In recent years she enjoyed volunteering with the local Grad Group of the CNIB, relishing her duties as Calling Captain. Her generosity of spirit and kindness will be truly missed by her family, friends and neighbours. And her cats, Mimi and Winnie.
We would like to thank the staff at Bruyere’s Greystone Village for their excellent care, kindness and compassion. A celebration of Joan's life will happen when conditions permit. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Canadian Institute for the Blind Foundation or charity of your choice. https://www.fco-cfo.coop/en/death-notices/eleanor-joan-adele-kemp-smiley-197695/