Ainslie Smith Watt

Geoff Hector Here's a few dozen of my favourite photos of Mom over her years...

Julia Douglas No one took time to "smell the flowers" quite like Mom. She embraced the beauty around her at all times ~ even the smallest of details ~ and "ooo-ed" and "ahhh-ed" her way through life. Anytime we were road-tripping, she'd alternate between having us look towards the sky or lakes, and then the trees and fields, exclaiming "Kids!! LOOK at all the blues! Can you COUNT the blues?! And the GREENS! Can you count all those greens?!" To this day, I notice those blues and I count the greens.

Siobhan Hector Where does one begin?? I have a treasure box full of memories and time spent with Ainslie. One I hold dear to my heart is watching Geoff playing his guitar for his mom the day before she died. The birds chirping in the background and the sound of the water fountain in the gardens. She lay asleep, and periodically her eyes would open and arms would lift and move to the sound of music as she would gaze over at Geoff with love. Music was a gift Ainslie shared with Geoff from a young age. It was a beautiful moment watching him re-gift it to his mom 🎼 💕🦋

Julia Douglas A friend, who lives on Vancouver Island, was out kayaking last Sunday (July 5th) while watching the sun go down. He captured this photo and later forwarded it to me saying "your mom picked the most beautiful day to die... and this was the world turning out the lights on her special, peaceful day."

Geoff Hector

Julia Douglas Mother’s day 2011, Ohio

Julia Douglas A few of the faces of Mom... notice her glee on her wedding day (upper right) and in her role as "Granny" as well as her ability to even dress up her hospital gown with beads (while in palliative care!) when visitors were coming (bottom right.)

John & Pat Scott So many years, so many really good memories. Ainslie and I started dating in Grade 10, Jarvis Collegiate Institute, my first girl friend. We had a great social life, so much fun, there was Glee Club, football games, T dances, we joined most things. In fact, we had so much fun that we both failed Grade 11 and as a result it took us six years to complete a five year high school education. Attached is a photo of Ainslie as a member of the JCI’s production of Pirates Of Penzance in ’54 or ’55. The Jarvis Reunion in 2007 was a catalyst to renew friendships from school, all of us older but unchanged in personality, we met regularly, Ainslie always making us laugh, great times. When Lynn came into the picture Marilyn, Pat and I were invited to visit Ainslie at her home in Waterloo to meet Lynn for the first time. We arrived at the door, introductions made. To Lynn Ainslie said “Lynn, this is John, my first love” and to me, “John, this is Lynn, my last love”. The start of a great friendship with Ainslie and Lynn as a couple. We will miss Ainslie, will always be grateful she was a part of our lives, upbeat, fun to be with, loved.

Julia Douglas Mom would look to turn every single "event" into a celebration or party! With the addition of a scarf and a necklace and, more often than not, decorations and little gifts she had found for everyone... she turned the gathering into a "flossy" affair!

Janice Thompson Ainslie was the most positive person I have ever met. She was so bubbly and she always made the best of any situation and always found the positive in any situation. She genuinely cared about other people and what was happening in their lives. When visiting Ainslie in the hospital, when she was going through so much herself, she would always want to know about my dad and how he was doing or Tim's kids and how they were doing. During one visit, she was so concerned for my dad because he had failed his driving test after turning 80 and he was about to try it again and she really hoped he would pass this time....I remember leaving that visit thinking, she has so much going on right now with her own health and here she is worried about my dad! LOL! But that is just the type of person she was. Ainslie was like a second mother to me my whole life and I know like so many people, we loved her so much and will miss her so very much. Thank you Geoff and Julie for sharing your incredible, wonderful mother with us all XOXO

Janice Thompson One of my more recent memories of Ainslie was the first time we went to visit her at Four Seasons Retirement home in Brantford. Ainslie first gave us a tour of her new home and introduced us to everyone we passed in the hallway and she always had a story to tell as we met up with each person LOL! We were going out for lunch that day and she suggested we go to Mt. Pleasant to the Windmill Country Market. We had a lovely lunch, she did some shopping and bought a new sign for her door and we laughed a lot and tried on funny hats. I love these 2 pictures from that day! We had such a wonderful day together, that I know both Tim and I will never forget! XOXO

Andrea Matthews Aunt Ainslie – no just Ainslie; she did not like the sound of Aunt Ainslie and so my Best Aunt was just Ainslie: but there was nothing “just” about Ainslie. My favourite memories of Ainslie; - Christmas’s in Hamilton (wherever the heck that was) – always arriving to a home that we knew would be filled with laughter, fantastic food (little snowmen made out of hard sauce) and some crazy new décor item like the lone breast sculpture in the powder room. Very chic, very Ainslie. - Having spent the morning at the farmers market in Hamilton and heading home when Ainslie, in the middle of what seemed to me a huge intersection on a hill, stopped the car, jumped out (leaving us in the car!!!) and began running down the hill shouting like a mad woman for all the cars to stop!!! It appears that she suddenly remembered that she had left her purchase of pussy willows on top of the car and she was not going to have anyone run them over. - Spending Easter break in Ellicottville, skiing at Holy Mount and devouring another wonderful lunch at the hill – this one a Rueben sandwich cooked over the fire that to this day I have never been able to repeat and can’t forget. - Connecting with Ainslie, along with my sister, after too many years apart and hearing her cheer that she had her “girls back”. You could feel her complete and utter love in her excitement as she introduced us to absolutely everyone we ran into. Years apart became nothing more than minutes. - Our final visit to Ainslie in Hospice and finding her shopping for Christmas presents for her grandchildren at the tiny gift store. Ainslie was kind-hearted, loving, alive and crazy in the best way possible. I will always be blessed to have had such a FUN Aunt.

Penelope Perry Dear Geoff, Julie and families - So many memories - so many stories - ( some can't be told!! ) I could go on and on but, for relative brevity, a few from the beginning of our meeting and friendship 63 years ago as probationers at the Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing - sadly no longer in existence. We were assigned single occupancy rooms on the same floor in the nurses' residence;--- did the "S"'s for Smith and the "T"'s for Thomas, our maiden names, make alphabetical monitoring of behaviour easier to do?! It didn't work, if that was the purpose! Ainslie's family was very kind and made me feel a part of the group on many, many occasions. I grew up north of Toronto and this was a welcome relief from residence life. The Smiths were probably not aware that I nearly severely injured their only daughter by causing her to go A.O.T.K. over a left-out crank ( a real no-no!) at the foot of a bed in our first semi-bed room assignment ( the male patients, while concerned, subsequently roared with LAUGHTER - A STAPLE IN AINSLIE'S LIFE. During early married years we resided in apartments in the same building, 105 Isabella Street at Jarvis Street in Toronto. Later, our eldest children, her Geoffrey and my Sarah were both born in a leap year - in the month of February, 1964 ( Geoffrey on the 29TH!!) Before they arrived, Ainslie and I, as volunteer members of the Junior Committee of the National Ballet and HUGE with child, oversaw sales from " Paper Things," the National Ballet Shop which was then upstairs in the Colonnade on Bloor Street. The customers were amused, I'm sure, as we attempted to bump past each other behind the very small sales counter. I add some tidbits, heretofore unknown or forgotten by me, from my very tall younger sister, then a " boarder " at St. Mildred's School. She, like me and all my family send their condolences. I quote: " Ainslie " sprang me " - bless her! - from 36 Walmer Road in my first year at the school- Grade 6, and took me to buy my first bra at Holt Renfrew ........ It was Ainslie who, when I was 13, got me in to see my first "R" movie at the Hollywood Theatre - " The Nun's Story" with Audrey Hepburn. WAS THIS AN APPROPRIATE EXAMPLE for a young student at a Sister/Nun run school?! A very few fond remembrances of a treasured friendship. I will miss my friend Ainslie but am happy she was superbly cherished and looked after by her family. She is and will be missed but never, ever forgotten! Much love to you all. Penny and family xxoo

Joanne Bink Ainslie was always, ALWAYS up for a party. She used to host gatherings for our condo complex. Her fiery spirit and feisty nature always made for a fabulous time. She was passionate about so many things - art, music, books, good conversations and the day to day happenings that make up life. She had a gentle soul but didn't suffer fools lightly, speaking her mind and standing her ground for what she could easily convince you was right. Our lives were positively affected by Ainslie, long after she moved from unit 5. And she will continue to bring a smile to our face whenever we think of her and her stories. She will be greatly missed, and forever greatly loved. May this broken road bring you straight to Lynn again, dear friend. Joanne and Mark

Janice Thompson Found this picture Julie from your B.Day party :)

Janice Thompson A little funny one....when visiting Ainslie the first time she was at hospice, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I walked in to her room, there she was sitting up waiting for me (she knew we were coming)....she was all dressed and looking fabulous!! I said to her, Ainslie you look beautiful today, all dressed in beautiful bright colours etc. Her exact response and her exact words to me were " Well Janice....my kids think I've come here to die, but I told them I need my clothes and to look nice in the meantime" LOL!!

Shari Loney Our last visit in Waterloo.

Julia Douglas Murphy Point, Manitoulin 2006 (ish)

Christina Olex I can't remember exactly when I met Ains...and it seems like I knew her before ever seeing her face to face through Julia. And just this past September, Kristen and I ventured to Ains' special care place so she could meet Kristen in person. Ains sent me the sweetest email EVER shortly after she learned of our getting together. Always hard to pick a favorite quote from her in writing - as many of you know - AND I think this is the winner 'THRILLED is what I register on the Richter scale'. She was a joy, a breath of fresh air, a comedian, a big feeling heart, AND always full of optimistic shit. I could hang on every word and listen for hours...she will be missed and thankfully she breathed all that wonderment into Jules...the dream lives on!

Kate Hunter I first met Ainslie when she came to Hamilton and was looking for a bridge group. Four of us played , less cards when our children were teenagers as we discussed their problems. She was a fantastic hostess and just the other day I was telling friends about her medieval banquet. Ainslie ,Geoff and Julie joined Bill and I in Ravenglass England one year for Christmas. How heart warming it was to see Ainslie so happily married to Lyn. We joined them various times at her most favourite place, Murphy Point.She had a repertoire of interesting places and people to see and meet on Manitoulin Island. I have so many happy memories of times spent with Ainslie. She put so much into life.We shared our love of music and art and all around my home I have treasures that Ainslie so kindly gave me. She was interesting and interested in all the people she met . We will all miss this remarkable lady, friend.

Krisden Galloway There are few people you meet, and you just know right away that this person is special and spectacular, that was Ainslie. Our connection to Ainslie is our son, Austen. Austen and Abbaigeal started dating 4 years ago, creating a family connection. We were invited to share a couple of dinners at hospice last year. Ainslie’s personality draws you in immediately - she is charming, witty, funny, and genuinely interested in your story. We wish that we would have been able to spend more time with her, but we know that her love, memories, and moments will live on with the stories that will be shared with us by Abbaigeal and the rest of the family. We are grateful that we were able to meet Ainslie. Much love to everyone who knew Ainslie, may your love for her and the memories of her comfort you during this time. Krisden, Sean, Ainslie, & Abbie xxoo

JD Douglas Picture from 2018 Birthday celebration at Seasons. As a mother in law, I always appreciated her unwavering support for everything I did. I treasured our 1:1 time together which often ended with her effusing about the way the world should be. I appreciated watching her pivot to play the role of granny to her only grandson. There would be no tea parties or knick knack shopping for this little boy. I loved that she always took the time to intently listen to whatever story Carter would share, even when it was clear that she had no idea what he was talking about. It was a privilege to watch this mother-daughter relationship. I've never seen such unconditional love. The way they've supported each other, laughed together and put up with each other's nonsense over the years has truly been a sight. I'm thankful to have had Ainslie in my life for the last 20 years.

George Whyte One of our many memorable visits with Ainslie — Brantford, December 25, 2015. George Whyte and Donna Haynes

donna templeton 1957 First year nursing school & my introduction to Ainslie. Our rooms in residence were allocated alphabetically. As an 's' for Smillie, I was lumped in with 'S' for Smith. I scored a great corner room. The first morning, really early, I was rudely awakened by AINSLIE, who came swooping in-throwing open my curtains with great gusto & loud pronouncements --Isn't it a wonderful day--time to get up,etc etc! at top AINSLIE volume?? I am not a morning person. whilst I realised she was a force to be reckoned with& one I would like to know better, I reckoned we would have a better chance of becoming friends if we had a bit of distance between us--especially in the morning! So the outcome was I moved to another floor & we've been great friends forever! This his is just the beginning of many years of laughter & tears. They broke the mold when Ainslie came on the scene. She will be sorely missed, but when her name comes up she will inevitably be remembered for her unique laugh, her interest in everything-music, politics arts And always had an opinion ! she loved her family so dearly & July, Geoff & Siobhan have been incredible ! I would like to send more photos & memories later. Today is just a time to cherish a wonderful friend! virtual huge hugs to all! we so cherish the visit we had in Sept. last albeit too short! Love for Hugie & Smillie in New Zealand

Abbaigeal O'Leary My musical debut was in an elementary school production of “Annie”. I played one of the orphans (see the dirty orphan stage makeup in picture above). During the applause after our first big number, It’s a Hard-Knock Life, I remember hearing Granny’s voice so clearly over the crowd cheering “Bravo! Bravo!”. As soon as all us orphans ran off stage I remember saying to all my friends, “Did you hear that person yelling bravo? That was my granny!” That loving and familiar voice coming from the audience brought me so much pride as I stood on stage. Over the years I have heard Granny’s “Bravos” over the crowd at so many musicals, concerts, and operas. I have wondered what performers have thought when they heard her distinct cheer. Have they felt the same warmth and pride I did? How could they not be proud of their performance when they have prompted a stranger in a crowd to cheer out so enthusiastically? It breaks my heart knowing I will never hear those “Bravos” again. It’s a sound I will always miss in every applause.

Julia Douglas Photos posted on behalf of Kate Hunter

Abbaigeal O'Leary When I was in grade 12, Granny took me to Toronto for a proper weekend of art and culture. It was such a special weekend and she had put so much work into planning it. She found all the best galleries for us to visit, made reservations at the most incredible restaurants and took me to a performance of Billy Elliot. It was such a special weekend and I felt so connected to her after spending time bonding over common interests, hearing stories about similar trips she had taken with friends and sharing special memories of Papa Lynn who had passed away several months before. There were tears, laughter, singing, and so much love. This was my first time spending a night in Toronto and I was very impressed by the bright night view of the big city. One night we were settled in our hotel room with our PJs on and I asked if we could take the elevator to the top floor to see the view from there. She said of course but, insisted she wore this hat she bought earlier in the day that I thought was hideous! Even though I was not a fan of the hat couldn’t help but be endeared by the excitement she had about it. So up we went to the top floor just to find a hallway between conference rooms with no window access. As we headed back towards the elevator we crossed paths with a hotel employee who Granny started talking to and it turned out that he had a key to the conference rooms. So this kind man granted me in my pyjamas and Granny in her nightgown and silly hat access to the best view in the building. I don’t even remember what the view looked like from up there, I couldn’t tell you if it was facing the CN Tower or not, but I do remember the happy image of Granny in this hat I have grown to love.

Julia Douglas Photos (2007) posted on behalf of Penny Perry

Julia Douglas (Written by Pam Richardson; shared on her request) I am so sad as I know you all are. Ains was my kindergarten friend, Whitney public school friend and my pen pal. We spent Saturdays skating at the Varsity arena, had a sandwich and the afternoon at the museum. Sometimes we went to her Dad’s Woolworth store on Yonge St to have a milkshake at the counter. We were only 10 or 11. Our parents picked us up and we often had an overnight with laughs, my dog, and making brownies. In the summers I went to camp and she Cape Breton where we always wrote each other. Often we had a weekend at our cottage in Muskoka. In grade 8 I went off to boarding school for 4 months where she wrote me weekly. I came home and went to Havergal and she Jarvis. At Jarvis (I have a picture) she was the Jarvis rep. at the big department store Simpsons. She was so beautiful. I left Havergal and went to Jarvis where she welcomed me to all her friends. Walking to and from we often stopped at a restaurant on Sherbourne St. to have french fries with ‘the gang.’ We went into Nursing, me at Women’s College Hospital where they took you a year earlier and she to Wellesley when she finished her matriculation. Different hospitals but still we were connected. She married your father. I was a bridesmaid and my John was a guest and so we met thanks to her setting up a blind date before the party. Off to Vancouver and Hamilton, but always in touch, our friendship never wavered. A tough time in her life but invited to Ellicottville with all of our kids. Met Lynn and her life turned around and we were invited to their lovely wedding. Then her health failed miserably and she was no longer able to drive to Toronto so John would drive me and we would have lunch. We the Richardsons are so sad for you and the family. A huge loss but time for her to say “goodbye.” Love to you all Pam (and John)

Judith McCulloch It occurs to me that Ainslie was something of a “renaissance woman” in the way she shared her love of all things beautiful with so many of us. I always marvelled at the way she could make any space she lived in so warm, welcoming, interesting and attractive, from her first home in Hamilton on Louisa Street through the elegant apartment on MacNab, the tiny rowhouse on Hatt Street in Dundas (where she reigned as “The Empress of Hatt”), homes in Waterloo with Lynn, even her units at Waterloo Square and Seasons. She had an eye for decor which was at the same time traditional and eclectic. Her paintings and hangings, exquisite glass pieces, Eskimo sculptures and cherished antiques were set off by hilarious, often somewhat naughty, items she picked up here and there on her regular rounds of arts and crafts shops. Once referred to as a “profligate spender”, which was met with derision and dismissal on her part as you might expect, she was, in fact, the ultimate shopper and always had the perfect gift for everyone in her present cupboard. These were not costly items but so appropriate. Our Christmas tree boasts at least a half a dozen highly amusing ornaments that describe me to a tee! Ainslie loved music and dance with a passion, attending concerts, operas and modern dance performances whenever possible. Again, her tastes were broad, encompassing not just classical music but finding inspiration in the likes of Tammy Wynette of “Stand By Your Man” fame, Leon Redbone, Leonard Cohen and so many others. Her CD collection was immense and regularly visited. Ainslie was also a gifted writer with a way of getting right to the heart of the matter in the most positive, sensitive and heartening way. Any of you who have received a letter from her will know whereof I speak, unless of course, you happened to be the recipient of a stinger! We were intimate friends for nearly 50 years, from the moment Peter and I, and our three little boys, moved into the Durand neighbourhood. My story cupboard is full of Ainslie tales, far too many to recount, some a little too risque. Our last conversation took place in early June when she held forth for 40 minutes while we revisited the highlights of our friendship. When I suggested she come for a visit, she jumped at the idea and said, “I’d have to bring my jammies.” Oh, for just one more visit with Ainslie, jammies and all. Judith McCulloch

David McFarlane I have not seen Ainslie for almost 40 years. I was saddened when I heard from Helen Whyte of Ainslie's passing. I knew I had photos of Ainslie from the good times we spent together in E'ville in the 70's. Attached is one I found taken at The First Annual McFarlane Scavenger Hunt. This was a group shot of a number of the participants. Of course Ainslie could not stop talking to George Whyte during the photo shoot.

David McFarlane In another post Helen Whyte mentioned the great "Fiddler on the Roof" prank pulled on Ainslie and David. This was one of the best ever at Murphy Point. The violin has been sighted. However the fiddler will remain nameless.

Julia Douglas Posted on behalf of John and Carole Lauer. Lynn and Ainslie lived next door and were wonderful neighbours. We built a section of our balcony fence a little lower so we could talk over the fence. They used to stop over at our cottage for dinner and over night on the way to catch the noon the ferry to her beloved Murphy Point. We had the privilege of visiting them there. And as a good hostess she prepared a wonderful meal for us of “liver and onions”. She said I hope you like liver and onions cause that is what we are having. Fortunately, we do. Ainslie was a great story teller. John’s favourite story was how she lost the van for stunt driving and had to come home in the back of a cruiser. When in court the Judge was extremely kind to this old lady and asked whether she could afford to pay the fine. When in Ainslie’s company you couldn’t help but laugh at her embellished stories with that twinkle in her eye. Cheery bye Ainslie! John and Carole Lauer

Julia Douglas Posted on behalf of John Brick. I first met Ainslie at the birthday party of a mutual friend and we hit it off instantly. She would later become a client who was always a pleasure. I loved the diversity of her friendships and how positive she always was. We could chat about anything. Her sense of humour and her love of people was endearing. At the same time she was not afraid to call a spade a spade and was totally real. We shared a love of art and particularly glass and she gave me the piece I posted because as she said “nobody wants this crazy piece” She loved it as do I and it always reminds me of her when I see it. She will be missed but never forgotten. A total one of a kind class act. RIP John Brick

molly hector I know it’s been almost two years and I have not put anything up on my Granny’s memorial page, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to write anything, but I think today is the perfect day. Today is my Granny’s birthday and I wish more than anything that she was here because she was my world. My Granny taught me so much and gave me so many memories that I could never forget and that I hold close to my heart. I haven’t looked on this page for a long time, but I am going to spend the day reading what others shared about here and the memories they had with her and maybe have some chocolate soup. It’s so hard to pick a memory to write about because there are so many that I want to share and all the lessons she taught me. My Granny introduced me to the theater at a young age, so young that I feel like I’ve been watching plays since the day I was born. The list of plays and musicals she took me to are uncountable because there was always a show she wanted us to see. Two of my favourite musicals that we went to see were The Sound of Music and Wicked, we used to make going to the theater a day event. We would go out for lunch, visit the shops in Stratford, go to the theater, and we always stopped to get chocolate before we left. After every play you could hear her saying “bravo,” that has a lot of meaning for me because when I took part in plays at my high school, I could always hear someone saying, “bravo” and I just knew it was my Granny. When I was around 15 (I think) we had a conversation about going to Ottawa for a few days and we planned our trip. We would take the train there, spend our days in museums, art galleries, and go see a play or two. Sadly, we never got to take this trip, but I have hopes of taking it one day and do all the things we planned. I wish we had the chance to go together but when I do take this trip it will be filled with everything that she loved. My whole life I have been told that I’m a mini Ainslie for so many different reasons and that is something I always loved hearing. Who wouldn’t want to be like their favourite person? I haven’t heard that much lately but when I do hear someone say it, it always makes me smile. I have so much I could share about my Granny and the stories we have, what she taught me, and the similarities we have. I miss you Granny and I hope you and Papa Lynn are celebrating your birthday with a nice lamb roast and some chocolate soup. I love and miss you more than I can explain! Happy birthday Granny and Bravo.