Georgeen Jessie Smith

Georgeen Smith

On Friday January 9, 2026 our family said good bye to our mother and grandmother. Georgeen was a person who centered her whole life on celebrating her family and loving each one unconditionally. 

Georgeen was a cherished mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed by Kyle (Sherry) and 

grandson Torrin, Myrna (Jamie) and grandchildren Lara and Callan, Roxanna (Tyler) and 

grandchildren Adriana and Cole. Georgeen leaves behind her close family: sister in law 

Angela Smith, nieces and nephews Ken (Holly), Keith, Marie (Bruce), Barb (Mark) and their 

children and grandchildren who she enjoyed so much.  Georgeen was predeased by her mother

and father Ken and Ella Crew, her husband of 49 years Lawrence, her twin sister Doreen (John), her brother Frank, her sister in law Gail (Gordon), and her brother-in-law Rodney.

Georgeen and her twin sister Doreen were born in the Wattsview District of Birtle, Manitoba to Ken and Ella Crew on June 30, 1945. They were the younger sisters of brother Frank. The girls were a celebrated arrival, and they were quite the novelty amongst family and friends.  Georgeen was raised as a member of the Birtle Baptist Church. Georgeen, Doreen, and cousins attended the Baptist Church Camp for many years and created fond memories. Her family was very active in the church and many of her childhood memories are of gathering with other families after church on Sundays and hosting church picnics at their farmyard outside of Birtle. It was here that Georgeen learned her baseball skills which often caught the grandchildren by surprise in later years.  

Post high school, Georgeen moved to Brandon, Manitoba and boarded with friends while working at Foster Brothers Accounting as an Accounting Clerk. After working in Brandon for awhile, Georgeen longed to be closer to home and took a job at Shoal Lake Royal Bank as a Teller/Clerk. Georgeen was later able to land a job at the Birtle Hospital as a Medical Records Receptionist. She enjoyed this job very much and made many good friends.  It was during these years in Birtle that she met Lawrence. On October 18, 1975 Georgeen and Lawrence were married in the Baptist Church in Birtle, Manitoba, with her maid of honour Doreen at her side. It was a celebrated event for Ken and Ella as they were so excited to host a wedding for their daughter.

Georgeen and Lawrence moved to Foxwarren, Manitoba to the Smith Family Farm and this is where she resided and raised her three children for many years. While Georgeen was busy raising her kids, and volunteering to help with school functions, she also enjoyed membership in a few local groups. She was an active member of the Red Cross, the Local Emergency Measures Committee and the local branch of the Rebekahs.  Lawrence and Georgeen attended the Binscarth Christian Assembly for many years where they enjoyed singing and fellowship. Georgeen cultivated many friendships within the church that lasted a lifetime. Georgeen spent several years working in a couple of restaurants in the area and although it was hard work, she enjoyed the fun times with her co-workers. 

In 2004 Lawrence and Georgeen decided to make the move to Neepawa to be closer to medical facilities and to be near to family. Grandma Georgeen loved her grandchildren and could be called upon at a minutes notice to sit and read stories, do puzzles and make endless piles of coloring papers. In later years she just chatted and visited with them and would ask many questions about their lives. Grandma Georgeen was always most interested in hearing everything the family had going on. 

Georgeen had enjoyable years in Neepawa as a member of the Baptist Church where she volunteered as a baby minder for Mom's morning out. She enjoyed many years of ladies groups, Sunday picnics, dinners with friends and many other social activities.  Georgeen liked to Floor Shuffle and was a board member for the Seniors Group, a member of the Red Hat Club and simply enjoyed coffee and lunches with many special friends at the restaurants in Neepawa. 

Georgeen was diagnosed with lupus in her early adult years. Not a lot was known about this disease at the time. She had years of very poor health as she struggled to navigate a health care system that was just learning about lupus and autoimmune diseases. In 2010, Georgeen was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which quickly took hold of her and eventually took away her ability to function well at home. In 2018, Georgeen made the very difficult decision to move to a long term care facility as it was becoming increasingly challenging to function without daily nursing care. Georgeen made new friends at her home at Country Meadows and Lawrence visited her faithfully every afternoon. They embraced their new way of life and made very dear friends with several other couples at the Care Home. The grandchildren adapted to life with Grandma and Grandpa living apart and enjoyed visiting them in each of their homes. Life at the care home was challenging and lonely for residents for several years during covid as rules ebbed and flowed.  Georgeen became an expert at Facetime and watching videos of grandchildren’s sports and other activities on her ipad. 

Georgeen will be remembered by her family for her unfailing, loving interest in her grandchildren and her deep loyalty to her family and friends. Georgeen will be sadly missed at Country Meadows and our family would like to express their appreciation for the care and compassion that so many nurses, staff, and fellow residents have shown to her in her years there.

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