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Jan 10, 2018
Susan Marie Smith slipped away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) with her husband Bernie at bedside, on January 10th, 2018 at age 81.

Susan was born in Boissiere Village, Maraval, Trinidad, and was predeceased by mother and father Sarah and Thomas Jadoobirsingh, along with siblings William, Rebecca, Lillian, David, John, Irene and Carmen.

She is survived by siblings Ena and Benjie, and many nieces and nephews in Trinidad, USA, UK and Canada.  She leaves to mourn her devoted soulmate and shipmate Bernie, her precious macaw Chico, and the family cockatiels.

Susan had an adventurous life travelling the world's oceans for many years as Stewardess on large tankers and freighters; she was something of a trail-blazer as a female seafarer 60 years ago.  Susan met and married another seafarer, Bernie, and they set up home together in Trinidad in 1971.  Susan had many interests in her homeland, including fishing, a large backyard aviary with several varieties of parrots, hairdressing, floral arranging, cake-decorating, etc.; while Bernie continued his career at sea.

When Susan and Bernie migrated to Canada in 1987 they owned a successful Campground and Trailer Park in Salmon Arm, adding an even bigger backyard aviary with Asian Pheasants and Peafowl.  Eventually they retired to Parksville, and spent many happy hours in their pleasure craft salmon fishing off French Creek, until a bout of cancer robbed Susan of her ability to reel in the big ones.  She also devoted a lot of time cooking, gardening, crochet and various handicrafts.

Many heartfelt thanks to Dr. Richard Henderson of Parksville/Qualicum Beach for being such a caring GP to Susan for 25 years, and to the magnificent teams of medical staff at NRGH who took such wonderful care of her every need during the final 45 days of her life there.

No funeral service by request. Cremation is€ undertaken by Sands Funeral Home in Nanaimo,€and her ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date.

The adventurous young seafarer from Trinidad was always looking forward to new horizons,

and has finally gone to rest somewhere over the rainbow, where bluebirds fly.



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