SMEES, Gillian May 1977-2023

It is with great sadness that we
share the news of the passing of
Gillian on Dec. 16, 2023.
Gillian was born in Burlington, ON.
She is survived by her parents, John
and Joanne Smees, and her brother,
Daniel (Beti) of Grimsby, ON.
In her high school years at GSS, Gillian was
a lifeguard, played basketball and volleyball,
competed at the OFSA level in hurdles and
was a server at St. Philip-by-The-Lake Anglican
Church under the guidance of Elsie Wilson. Gillian
graduated from Georgian College, Barrie,
with a 3-year diploma in tourism management,
leading to her job as a travel agent in Fonthill
and with Clarkson Travel, Mississauga.
Her Adventurous spirit took her from the Rocky
Mountains to Perth, Australia. She used her jobs
in western Canada as an opportunity to hike
and snowboard. Gillian worked as a lift attendant
at Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Looking out
from her small booth at the top of Sunshine, Gillian
wrote poetry. Then it was front desk at Deer
Lodge, Lake Louise and Emerald Lake Lodge
in B.C. where she greeted Jack Nicholson and
Peter Fonda arriving on their motorcycles.
In Australia, on a 1-year work VISA, Gillian
worked for a telephone company, learned to
surf and took her parents on a trip of a lifetime.
She accompanied them to the desert, The Outback,
and the edge of the Indian and sourthern
oceans.
Gillian was never defined by her addiction. She
continued to have a spark in her eye and a kindness
toward others in need.
Cremation has taken place. Gillian will be interred
at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery at a later
date. She will be remembered at a private family
gathering. May Gillian finally rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gillian’s
name to Teen Challenge Canada, PO Box
100, Station Main, Aurora, ON, L4G 3H1.