Gillian Anne Carter

Gillian Anne Carter (née Smedley)

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Gillian Anne Carter (née Smedley) at the age of 64. Gillian passed away at the Pasqua Hospital in Reginal on March 25th, 2023 from complications due to leukemia.

Born in Toronto, Ontario to mother Joan Smedley (née Dashwood) and father David Smedley, Gillian will be fondly remembered by her siblings Janet Dalziel, Pamela Bresnahan, and Peter Smedley.  Her husband Timothy Carter and their children Ian and Megan Carter will continue to carry Gillian with them lovingly into their lives ahead.

Gillian’s passions were rooted in the natural world.  Her university education, an undergraduate degree in biology, was followed by teachers college in a specialized program for outdoor and experiential education.  In 1983 she volunteered with CUSO International (Canadian University Services Overseas) to teach in Gambia, West Africa, for 2 years.  Here she met and married Timothy Carter, also a CUSO volunteer.  Gill and Tim extended their contracts by one year, returning to Canada in 1986.  Their son Ian was born in White Rock, British Columbia, shortly after their return.  Megan Carter was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1991.  Gillian and Tim settled in Kingsville, Ontario to raise their family.  This is where Gillian spent most of her career teaching at Jack Minor Public School.  Continuing her passion for outdoor education she involved her students in activities such as bird banding to track migratory routes and tree planting.  She will be fondly remembered by many of her colleagues and students.  

In 2016 Gillian retired to Spy Hill, Saskatchewan to join her husband Tim on their land in the Cutarm Valley.  Gillian and Tim fulfilled their interest in traveling abroad, spending portions of the winters in Spain, France, Australia and Costa Rica. Living primarily in the Cutarm during the summer months, Gillian pursued her creative projects including, gardening, sewing, weaving, writing and cooking meals to share with family and friends. She worked the land she loved. She was an active community organizer and hosted many young people whose lives she touched deeply. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Spy Hill Town Hall on March 31st.  Her ashes will be spread at her beloved Smedley family property on Georgian Bay, close to her mother’s and father’s place of rest.  

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the following: The Spy Hill Community Club (for improvements to the concession stand) Or The Georgian Bay Biosphere (www.gbbr.ca)

“Joy is not made to be a crumb” From Gillian’s favourite poem "Don’t Hesitate" by Mary Olive