Jean Margaret (Dee) Smickle's Obituary
The Obituary of Jean Margaret (Dee) Smickle
Our mother, grandmother, and gigi, Jean Margaret (Dee) Smickle, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. She was born July 24, 1929 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Albert John Bruce and Jean Bonner (Wallace) Bruce.
World War II broke out while she and her family were visiting her grandparents in Scotland. They were required to stay in Scotland until the war was over so consequently, she spent about four of her growing up years in a war zone. She had interesting stories to share, from collecting bullet casings on her school playground, to hiding in a bomb shelter each time the air sirens sounded, to living on food rations. At least once unknowingly her family was rationed cat instead of rabbit. Not surprisingly, she was a dog lover from then on! She was a Scot through and through and loved all things Scottish, especially bagpipe music.
She returned to Canada as a high school student where she graduated from Westmount High in 1947, and subsequently attended and graduated from stewardess college. This was the beginning of a great adventure of air travel with thousands of miles crisscrossing the United States as she was now based in Texas. She logged over three million miles, and on some of those flights she met the likes of John Wayne, James Dean, and Elvis.
In 1963 on a layover in Las Vegas, she met John George (Jack) Smickle. They were married February 7, 1964. She ended her career in the air as they soon became the parents of two children, Candy Jean Sadleir, and John Earl Smickle. Jack also had a daughter Janet Gayle Wells, who she loved as well. In 1969, Jack sold his flight school and became employed by the FAA moving the family to California. After a couple of short stops, they settled in Santee, California where they stayed and raised their family.
In 1966, Dee was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She faithfully served in church positions for the remainder of her life. She especially enjoyed going as a leader to Young Women camp and even earned the one-mile swim badge and became a Summiteer (the highest camp certification). She had a great love of Relief Society and served as a ward Relief Society president in the Fanita Ward. Her RS sisters were her dearest friends and filled her life with love and laughter. She loved talking to everyone she met about their lives and experiences and was a great friend to many. She loved the temple and was an ordinance worker in the San Diego temple for 23 years.
Dee developed her talents in many areas. She was quite an actress and in her high school years took part in the Westmount High School Purple and White Review. In later years, she enjoyed being in Stake plays including roles as a nun in The Sound of Music, and the queen in Cinderella. She did stage makeup for numerous productions both in the church and for the Santee community theater. Her father taught her to knit when she was only four and she perfected that skill throughout her life. She took up oil painting and created beautiful paintings that hung in our home. She was an extraordinary seamstress - making clothes for herself and her family, gaucho skirts for sister missionaries, costumes for the Santana flag team, and the list goes on.
Dee was involved in the community as a member of the League of Women Voters, and later on the board of SMOAC where she actively worked to protect the rights of mobile home owners in Santee.
She spent her last few years in Utah with her family. She never liked the snow, but loved being with them.
She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they loved her dearly in return. We will think of her every time we see the color purple which was her trademark. Her outspoken, vivacious, spunky, caring spirit will be missed and her memory will be cherished.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jack, her son John, and sister Robin. She is survived by her daughter Candy Sadleir, (Gerry), grandchildren Heather Romney (Jon), Scott Sadleir (Courtney), Brent Sadleir (Elaine), Holly Sadleir, Sarah Sadleir, and stepdaughter Janet Wells (Von), their son Eric, and his daughters Lauren and Jenna.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 17th at the LDS Church at 8902 Highwood Drive, San Diego, CA 92119 with a viewing at 10am and funeral at 11am. We would like to extend an open invitation to all who would like to attend. We express our gratitude to all for your outpouring of love and support. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Park.
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