Helen Smith

Helen Catherine Smith (née Aljoe) passed September 1, 2026 at age 96 at Rockwood Terrace, Durham.  Helen lived most of her life in Durham, played as a child on the hills behind Rockwood and was born nearby at home on Albert Street.

She leaves behind her children Jennifer, Joel (Judy Sutherland) and Janice Colby (Joe deceased), grandchildren Morgan, Graham, Tanisha, Kiana, Evan, Curtis and Nora, great grandchild Olive and daughter-in-law Liz. Also survived by her sisters Sharon Burgess and Beatrice (Hartmut) RidderBusch, sisters-in-law Betty Aljoe, Helen Benninger and Donna Bain and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her son Jeffrey, parents Lorne and Helen Aljoe and siblings Evelyn and Ed Patterson, Vernon Aljoe, Lorna and Bill Zaduk, Bill and Isabel Aljoe, Art Aljoe, Norma and Jim Barrett, Murray Aljoe, Doreen Fryer, Charlie Fryer, Dave Burgess and Ada and Harry Styles.

Helen loved a good laugh with friends and will be remembered as best friend to Betty Lawrence. Friends Kathy Keffer and Mary Ellen Nelson kept in close contact as Helen remained independent in her apartment until age 95. Helen will be remembered for her sense of humour and she will be missed.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations to Rockwood Terrace would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, greybrucecremation.com.

Helen’s favorite poem:

M is for the million things she gave me 
O means that she’s growing old 
T is for the tears she shed to save me 
H is for her heart of purest gold
E is for her eyes with love lite shinning 
R is right and right she will always be

Put them all together, they spell MOTHER.              
The word that means the world to me.