Obituary of C. Kathleen Smith

SMITH, C. KATHLEEN (KAY) ? The death of C. Kathleen (Kay) Smith occurred unexpectedly at the Dr. V. A. Snow Centre in Hampton, September 18, 2004. Kay was a life-long resident of Saint John and Patron of the Arts. She was born in Saint John on April 30, 1911, the only daughter of Charles and Margaret (Miry) Smith, residing on Queen Square in Saint John's South End. She attended Saint John High School and graduated from there in 1928. It was here that Kay discovered her love of literature and history, under the guidance of English teacher Bessie Wilson. Reading, listening and writing became a lifetime passion. Throughout her life Kay read literature in the broadest possible sense. She was always a strong supporter of Canadian writers, and also became a lover of world literature, interested in such diverse poets as W. B. Yeats and Pablo Neruda. Kay has been a life-long member of Germain Street Baptist Church, which has remained her spiritual home. Leaving Saint John after graduation, Kay proceeded to Mount Allison University where she studied speech, drama and the arts. It was here that she continued to develop her love for music and theatre and embrace all of the arts in the broadest possible sense. Many friends whom she met at Mount “A” remained close to her throughout life. Kay's formal education took her to Columbia University in New York, where she continued her studies in drama. She became a member of the Saint John Theater Guild and began a long-time involvement in acting and directing. The Theatre Guild Association involved her in several winning entries of the Dominion Drama Festival in the Maritimes, Ottawa and Winnipeg. Kay had a very distinguished teaching career, beginning early in life with her own nursery school, then later teaching English and drama at Alma College in St. Thomas, Ontario. It was here she met A. J. M. Smith, Frank Scott, E. J. Pratt and Earle Birney. On one occasion she shared first prize with Earle Birney in the First Statement Press. In 1942 Kay began a thirty-year association with Saint John Vocational School, where she taught English and drama. She took over the direction of the School's annual Shakespearean Play, at the time the only Shakespeare production in New Brunswick. The plays attracted audiences from the University in Fredericton and from all parts of the Province. She continues to be held in high regard by hundreds of admiring students. In the 1940's and beyond, Kay was part of the cultural richness that blessed the Saint John area. Ted's Campbell's studio became the gathering place for many artists, musicians and craftsmen. Members of the group of artists and writers included well-known names such as Miller Brittain, Jack Humphrey, Ted Campbell, P. K. Page, Fred Ross, Norman Cody, Erica and Kjeld Deichmann, Jean Sweet, Avery Shaw and many others. A C.B.C. documentary was presented on the Life and Times of Saint John Artists of the 30's and 40's. It was a community at the center of Canadian art in the Depression. The program was entitled “An Unlikely Time, An Unlikely Place.” During these years Kay began publishing poetry in the Fiddlehead and other Canadian poetry journals. Her books of poetry began to take shape: 1951 ? “Footnote to the Lord's Prayer” and other Poems (The First Statement Press), 1972 ? “The Bottom of the Dark” (Fiddlehead Books), 1978 ? “When a Girl Looks Down” (Fiddlehead Books), 1987 ? “White Paper Face in the Window” (Purple Wednesday Society), 1987 ? “The Bright Particulars” (Ragweed Press). Throughout these years Kay taught courses in Fredericton and at U.N.B.S.J. in creative writing. She took part in the teaching of many workshops and was an active participant in the Writers in Schools Program. In 1986 the League of Canadian Poets recognized her work by making her an Honourary Life Member of the League. In 1988 she received an Honourary Doctor of Letters from the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. The citation reads in part: “Her poetry reveals to us much of what we are capable of seeing, but often do not. And it is mystical because it leaves the right holes and gaps, nooks and crannies into which we pour our own thoughts and our own souls.” Throughout her life Kay had been the recipient of many singular honours. Among them: The Alden Nowlan Award for her contribution to literature and the arts; the City of Moncton Award for the best book in English published during their 100th Birthday Celebration. In 1988 Peter Gzowski interviewed Kay on C.B.C. “Morningside,” following the publication of “The Bright Particulars.” During this interview, Kay spoke of the importance of her “sense of place” in her poetry: not only of Saint John but also her great love for Grand Manan and the inspiration it had been to her. So many of her memorable poems were written in Grand Manan, including “Again With Music.” In the late 1990's Kay read her poetry as part of a C.B.C. production, “The Live Poet's Society,” produced by Harvey McLeod. It is a special tribute to Kay's poetry that several composers have set her work to music. Richard Kidd brought out his CD “Changing Illusions 1966” in which he included seven of Kay's poems sung by soprano Janet Kidd. In 1999 Stella Goude selected a number of segments from Kay's work to set them to music. These were presented in a concert at Portland United Church, where Jessica McCormack premiered the songs and Barry Snodgrass produced the concert. The poem “Again With Music” has been set to music by three different composers. In a book of tributes published by “The Cormorant,” P. K. Page says the following regarding Kay's poetry: “Smith is a poet of light, of the sea, of the season, of the heart. Perhaps especially the heart.” Kay's work continues to be read and published. In the last three years (since 2000), her poems have appeared in four new anthologies: “The Dominion of Love,” “Inside Poetry,” “Reference Points ? a Guide to Language, Literature and Media,” and “Coastlines ? the Poetry of Atlantic Canada,” edited by Anne Compton, Laurence Hutchman, Ross Leckie and Robin McGrath. Anyone who knew Kay realizes that she had a very special gift for friendship and for sharing. She will be sadly missed by many friends and colleagues. She will be especially missed by those devoted people at the Dr. V. A. Snow Centre who cared for her with such love and devotion during the last several years. Visiting will take place at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, N. B. (506-634-7424), on Monday and Tuesday September 20 and 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Germain Street Baptist Church, 228 Germain Street, Saint John, N.B. at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, Rev. Dr. Mark McKim officiating. Burial will take place at Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery, Manawagonish Road. Remembrances may be made to the Dr. V. A. Snow Centre, Saint John Vocational School/Harbour View High School Scholarship Fund, or a charity of the donor's choice.