In Memoriam
Joyce Smith-O'Donnell

Joyce Smith-O’Donnell (May 9, 1933 – September 24, 2023)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Joyce O’Donnell. She left us peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, September 24, six months after the passing of her dear husband of 47 years, Ralph O’Donnell.

Joyce leaves behind many dear friends and family including her brother, Herman Frederic Smith, his children Linda, Sheila, Ian, Robert, her great nephew Andrew, and many loving nieces, nephews, and their children from the O’Donnell family. She was the lynchpin, confidant, and social hub of our families and was invaluable within her circle of friends. We loved her dearly, and we miss her terribly.

Joyce was an athlete in her youth, enjoying basketball in particular. She began work as an office assistant in the steno pool for the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal in 1951, and worked her way up to the position of Administrative Assistant to the Director General in 1974. She held this post until her retirement in 1995 having, as she put it, “trained seven Directors General” in her tenure at the school board. She was a consummate professional, was loved and respected by her peers and superiors, and exuded elegance mixed with gentle and poignant wit. Her passing is a great loss to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Mont Royal Funeral Complexe, 1297 ch Foret, Outremount, Qc. on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00am. Visitation will commence at 10:00am. Funeral Director Robert M White.