Obituary of Jean Mary Barclay Smith (nee Marshall)

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Jean died in her home in Waterloo at  age 87, predeceased by her beloved husband Menno. They married in 1962 and made each other laugh every day. 

She was a devoted mother to Brian (Anne-Marie), and Diane (Ian), and loved her grandchildren Ian (Kaisha), Erika, Raven, Stephen (Bird) and Marissa. 

She is predeceased by her parents David and Mary Ann (Ball) Marshall, brothers-in-law Norman Smith, Harvey Smith, James Catron, Alan Lane, and sister-in-law Ella Koster. She is survived by her siblings Dorothy Smith, Anne (Eldon) Wilson, Lilian Catron, Grace Lane, John (Nancy) Marshall.

Jean was a gentle person who loved books, art and learning. She instilled a love of those things in her kids, making gallery, museum and library visits a regular feature of their childhood. Her passion for books led her to volunteer for her local public and church libraries, where she helped share her love of reading. 

She was effortlessly creative, making clothes, art and blankets for everyone she loved. Her handmade knits and crochet projects are  cherished possessions of her family members. 

She was the eldest of 6 and utterly devoted to her younger siblings and their families. She said that when she married she felt so lucky to have gained another even larger family in the Smiths, who welcomed and loved her as much as she loved them.

Jean never said an unkind word about anyone - she enjoyed people for who they were - eccentricities and all. Even when dementia took her memories, she always knew the people she loved and was always happy to have their company.

She loved her chosen hometown of Markdale and tirelessly gave back to it, volunteering at the hospital, the public library, her church - Annesley United - and the food bank. 

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 12 p.m. Reception will be held in the Fireside Reception Room following the service.

A livestream and recording of the funeral service will be available on Jean’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family or donations to Markdale and District Food Bank may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.