Smith, Mary Isabelle (Atkinson)

Mary Isabelle Atkinson Smith 1911-1984

Mary was born in 1911 to Henry Atkinson and his wife, Suzanne van Bruyssel. She was the granddaughter of Ferdinand van Bruyssel who was the consul general for Belgium to Canada, 1887-1894 and founder of the Belgo Canadian Pulp Company. She had one older sister Adelaide who died in childhood.
Mary married Alexander (Lex) Smith in Levis in 1931, and they lived for many years at 1210 Pine Ave in Quebec City. They had one daughter, Susan who was born in 1942. During World War II, they cared for two English refugee children, Richard and Elizabeth. Richard and Elizabeth returned to their family after the war but the two families remained in touch for many years.
Mary was a talented knitter and a superb home chef as well as a community volunteer, especially with the Women’s Auxiliary, and during the war she even learnt auto mechanics!
She and Lex lived for many summers at Bayview Cottage where she was the most gracious hostess. Serving dinner to 10 or 15 family and friends was not unusual.
The last years of her life were spent living with her daughter Susan and her husband Keith Robbins in and around Guelph, Ontario. She is buried with Lex in Mount Hermon Cemetery in Quebec.

Eve Wickwire