May 14, 1931 – October 15, 2016

Clifford Oliver Smith was born on May 14, 1931 in the Wingard area of SK.  When Cliff was around 10 years old, the family moved to the MacDowall area.  It was here he met Dorothy “Dot” Dallman.  When they were both still 21, on February 21, 1953, they were married.  They lived in the MacDowall area for the early part of their married life; eventually moving to BC.  At various times they lived in Hixon, Burns Lake and Vanderhoof.  Cliff was a truck driver and hauled logs over those treacherous logging roads around Hixon and Vanderhoof.  He did this for many years.  When he finally gave that up and they were living in Burns Lake, the two of them bought a janitorial business.  They cleaned everything from offices to telephone booths.  Their business took them in and around Burns Lake including going to the far side of Francois Lake on a regular basis.  The two of them would often make the long trip home to visit their parents and the many family members who still lived in and around MacDowall.  Everyone loved it when they would be back to visit, tell stories and laugh.  Cliff and Dot never had children of their own but their many nieces and nephews very quickly knew how much they loved children.  The nieces and nephews are now grandparents and even great grandparents so you can imagine how long they held on to them.  There are also lots of cards and memorabilia that remained to show the vast network of friends and family that filled their lives.  Eventually Cliff and Dorothy returned to Saskatchewan.  They made their final home in Prince Albert.  Cliff was a quiet man.  He enjoyed driving in the countryside, especially around the MacDowall area. Where he grew up.  Many times he and Dot would jump in the van with Vera (Dot’s sister) and Shirley (Vera’s daughter) and they would slowly drive around the back roads looking at the old places and checking the crops as “Tramp” the dog went running in the ditches.  Cliff liked country music, gospel music and the old hymns.  He enjoyed going to church and bible study when he was still able to do so.  One of his favorite things was pie.  It didn’t matter if you went for a drive and stopped for pie or you were just visiting and had some pie or if you went to a function of some sort – it was all good if you had some pie before it was over.  But much as he loved pie, he knew what was important.  He knew Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.  He prayed for friends and family.  If you knew Cliff and Dot they probably prayed for you.  In February of 2015 Cliff was admitted to the Victoria Hospital after he fell and could not get up while still living at home.  He was already showing signs of dementia and it was suspected that he had suffered a mini stroke.  Cliff remained in hospital and underwent many tests and evaluations.  Eventually the decision was made to admit him to a long-term care home.  He moved to the Herb Bassett home on June 12, 2015.  Though it was the first time in his life that Dot was not with him 24 hours a day, she spent most of her daytime hours with him.  After 62 years together it was very hard on each of them to be separated.  Dot continued to spend much of her daytime hours with him until she herself became ill.  After she was admitted to the Victoria Hospital and could no longer go to him, the staff at the Herb Bassett would bring Cliff to see her.  Cliff lost his beloved wife to cancer just a little more than 3 months ago.  He was heartbroken.  Even though he suffered from Alzheimers disease he knew she was not there and he missed her.  The disease limited his ability to speak but on one occasion after Dot passed away he said “Dorothy died” and later said “I’m sad she died”.  On Saturday morning around 10:00 am he joined her.  Our loss is heavens gain.  Cliff is survived by his brother Allan of British Columbia.  He will be loving remembered by his sisters-in-law: Mae Mamona of Medicine Hat, AB, Vera Kessler of Prince Albert, SK, Ethel (Garfield) Hendrix of Prince Albert, SK; his brothers-in-law: Albert “Bud” Dallman of Prince Albert, SK, Walter Dallman of Sundre, AB, Floyd (Kathie) Dallman of MacDowall, SK, Selwin (Kim) Dallman of Red Deer, AB; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Margaret Smith (nee Dallman) on July 2, 2016; his parents: Rupert George Smith and Helena “Lena” Smith; his brothers: Edgar and Dalvin; his sisters: Norma and Erma; his father and mother-in-law: Albert Dallman and Emma Laura Dallman; his sister-in-law Marjorie Voros; his brothers-in-law: Ira Dallman, Hubert Dallman, Gordon Dallman.  The family would like to thank all those who cared for and helped Clifford and Dorothy, especially the staff at the Herb Bassett Home.  Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Scarborough Baptist Church, 2650 – 6th Avenue East, Prince Albert, SK with Pastor Gerry Wortman officiating.  Interment will be held at Deer Park Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

 

 

• Date : 2016-10-15