SMITH, Isabella Louttit

The hands that made a million batches of her famous shortbread went still in the early hours of July 1st, 2021. Isabella Louttit Smith (nee Greig) passed away at Moog Hospice, Penticton after a sudden, devastating stroke. Isabel was born Feb 20, 1937 in Edinburgh, Scotland where she lived with her parents Ernest and Isabella, siblings Ernie, Jean and Ina until she immigrated to Canada as an adventurous 19-year-old. She visited her large, extended family back home whenever she could and kept in close contact by letter and phone calls. In Canada she met the dashing canoeist, Lorne Arthur Smith, at the Flin Flon canoe club and they were married Sept 3, 1960 for 53 years until Lorne’s passing in 2013. Their early time together in the 1960’s/70’s entailed many memorable years in the high arctic communities of Pond inlet, Cape Dorset, Arctic Bay and Churchill where Dad worked for the GNWT department of education and Isabel would occasionally work for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Amazing to think of her traveling by dog sled or skidoo to the outlying camps, occasionally sleeping in igloos! Although isolated, Mom created lifelong friendships and they both gained an enduring respect for the people of the North. They moved the family to Yellowknife in 1975 where mom said she spent her happiest years. These decades were filled with raising their children Linda and Thomas, bountiful friendships and lots of outdoor fun in their canoes, boats and airplanes while she worked as an Executive secretary for the GNWT department of Health. Mom & Dad retired to Penticton in 1992 where they explored all that the beautiful Okanagan had to offer and forged new friendships with neighbours, through cars & running clubs, Ironman and after Dad’s passing, Mom’s book club and condo pals. Mom sometimes wondered how they ever had time to work! She was a hands-on Grandma having many adventures, hours at the beach and sleepovers under the stars with the Grandchildren. They will continue to cherish all of their memories of summer vacations and family holidays. Mom leaves behind a legacy of making friends with whomever she met (as shown by the annual deluge of Christmas Cards & letters from around the world), of fun and adventure, of being a fantastic hostess, of strength and a “use it or lose it” attitude for her children Linda & Tom, Grandchildren Kerri, Natasha & Mikayla and Great Grandchild Taylor. Due to Covid and Mom’s wishes, there will be no formal service but the family does welcome you to share condolences, stories or memories of Isabel to lindalelek@gmail.com