Dorval Alice Smith passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at home in Pointe St. Charles with her loved ones by her side.

Dorval, also known as Dora to many, was born to George and Rita Smith on May 15^th, 1940, in Shigawake on the beautiful Gaspé coast of Quebec that she loved to revisit as often as possible.

Dorval was a devoted mother, treasured sister, beloved aunt, and a caring friend and confidant. Her greatest role in life, however, was that of a proud and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother. There is no doubt that Dorval found no greater fulfillment in life than in watching those she loved so very deeply find joy and happiness, and in getting the opportunity to share in those special moments.  Some of the simplest of moments, be they watching tv shows alongside Dorval, watching her complete her word search puzzles, or getting to share in her favorite fruit snacks are memories her loved ones will hold dear forever, for they were the little things that made Dorval so incredibly happy. 

Dorval is survived by her four loving daughters, Evelyn, Gina (David), Lynn and Cherry; her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Christopher (Brittanie), Justin (Melannie), Ryan (Jalyn), Corey, Skylar, Hunter, Cody, Cohen, Connor, Landon, Lincoln, and Sophia; her sister and best friend Celia and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorval was preceded in death by her parents, her son Sydney, her brothers Garnet, Herby, Embert, Donald and Robert and her sisters Lucy, Vivian, Agnes, and Geraldine. 

Per Dorval’s wishes, there will be no services held. In lieu of flowers or donations, Dorval’s family asks that you celebrate her life and honor her memory by spending time with your loved ones, for she always believed there was no greater time spent in life.  

C'est avec grande tristesse et le cœur lourd que nous annonçons le décès de M. Gérard Simard à l'âge de 96 ans. M. Simard laisse dans le deuil plusieurs parents et amis. 

C’est avec une immense tristesse que nous annonçons le décès de Nancy (Anna Margaret) Schmitz survenu le 19 novembre 2022. Elle nous a quitté paisiblement, entourée de sa famille, des conséquences d’une virulente pneumonie quelques jours après son 84e anniversaire. Elle laisse dans le deuil ses filles Edith (Allan), Erica (Guillaume), ses petits-enfants Chloé, Nicolas, Stella, Louis et Mariane, son époux André, ainsi que ses sœurs et nièces Elizabeth (Ray), Janet, Jennifer Natalie et Amy.

Née à Kansas City, de William E. Schmitz et Anna Kitts, Nancy était une femme brillante, confiante et inspirante. D’une intelligence vive, elle reçut les bourses Woodrow Wilson et Fulbright, qui lui permirent de voyager et poursuivre ses études à l’étranger, en lettres puis en folklore. Elle tomba en amour avec la ville de Québec où elle s’établit, chérit tout autant l’Irlande et la Bretagne, vécut en Acadie, en Bolivie et à Paris. Professeure au Département d'Anthropologie de l'Université Laval dès 1968, elle contribua à sa fondation et à son essor. Cette institution fut au cœur de sa vie et c’est en son sein qu’elle y accompagna plusieurs générations d’étudiants.

Nancy était une force tranquille, en avance sur son temps. Elle fonda sa famille en solo et éleva ses deux filles avec amour et fierté. Elle abordait la vie avec gaieté et optimisme et accueillait les autres avec ouverture et générosité, partageant leurs intérêts et les appuyant dans leurs projets. C’était un modèle exceptionnel de femme et de mère, comme on en voit rarement.

Une célébration de sa vie aura lieu au Quai des Cageux, à Québec (2795 boulevard Champlain, G1K 4J9), samedi le 18 mars 2023. La famille vous accueillera à partir de 13hr30 et la cérémonie commémorative débutera à 14 heures suivie d’une petite réception.

Vos témoignages de sympathie peuvent se traduire par un don à Parkinson Québec (https://parkinsonquebec.ca/faire-un-don/don-in-memoriam), 560 rue Ontario Est Montréal (Québec) H2L 0B6, ou à l’Association canadienne d’ethnologie et de folklore http://www.acef-fsac.ulaval.ca/fr (CÉLAT - Faculté des lettres, Pavillon Charles-De-Koninck, 1030, av. des Sciences humaines, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) GIV 0A6.

Nancy (Anna Margaret) Schmitz, surrounded by her family, passed away quietly on November 19th, 2022 from complications of pneumonia just a few days after her 84th birthday. She is survived by her daughters, Edith (Allan) and Erica (Guillaume), her grandchildren, Chloe, Nicolas, Stella, Louis and Mariane, her husband André, as well as her sisters and nieces, Elizabeth (Ray), Janet, Jennifer Natalie and Amy.

Born in Kansas City, to William E. Schmitz and Anna Kitts, Nancy was a brilliant, confident and inspiring woman. A recipient of a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship, she left her home and family to study abroad and travel. She fell in love with Quebec City where she established roots, cherished Ireland and Brittany, lived also in Acadie, Bolivia and Paris. She was a professor of Anthropology at Université Laval where she accompanied generations of students.

Nancy was a quiet force of nature and a woman way ahead of her time. She raised two daughters as a single parent with love and pride. She lived her life with optimism and joy, greeting others with open arms and sharing her home with many. She was an exceptional role model as a woman and a mother.

A celebration of life will be held at the Quai des Cageux in Quebec City (2795 Champlain Blvd. G1K 4J9) on Saturday, March 18th, 2023. Family will greet guests from 1:30pm. A ceremony will begin at 2pm followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to either Parkinson Québec (https://parkinsonquebec.ca/en/donate/in-memoriam), 560 rue Ontario Est Montreal (Québec) H2L 0B6, or The Folklore Studies Association of Canada http://www.acef-fsac.ulaval.ca/en (CÉLAT - Faculté des lettres, Pavillon Charles-De-Koninck, 1030, Ave des Sciences humaines, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) GIV 0A6.