It is with great sorrow that the family of Mary Monica Smyth King announces her passing on August 11, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Trochu at the age of 97. Monica was born on a cold January 22nd day in 1926 on the farm at Acadia Valley to Aaron and Anna Boulter. She grew up there and in the Esther and Oyen areas until she attended Normal School in Lethbridge in 1943 for two years. Having earned her teaching certificate, she found a placement at a school near Trochu called Alderside. In the fall of 1945, John Henry Smyth stopped by the Alderside teacherage to sell Victory Bonds and that is where their 45 years together began. They were married on December 27, 1946 and in true fashion there was a blizzard. Monica taught until the children were born and then returned in 1965 to teach until she retired in 1986 and enjoyed travels and family until John passed in 1990. Monica took several ministry courses and received her diploma in Exploring Ministry in 1993. In November of 1993 she married Clifford King and she moved to Lethbridge until his passing in 2006. They had many journeys in their camper van to family events and bridge tournaments in Alberta and the U.S. She returned to Trochu and finally found a perfect little house at 213 Trochu Avenue, which gave her such joy in the garden, flowers and birds. Monica decided to complete her ministry studies and was ordained a Deacon in the Anglican Church in 2008 at the age of 82. She ;then moved to Golden Hills Lodge until she was placed in long term care at St.Mary’s in Trochu. She wrote some history to share at her 90th birthday and in it she wrote: “The real story of my life could be summed up by saying - I have run out of time before I’ve run out of things I’d like to do.” Monica will be remembered for her love of her family, dedication to her faith and passion to live each day to learn and experience what life brought to her that day. She is survived by her son Glenn (Jackie), David (Sandra) and Alison; grandchildren Geoffrey (Chantel), Nicola (Darcy), Timothy (Trisha), Deena (Mike), Kevin (Hannah), Kent (Amanda) and 11 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, John Henry Smyth, son, Denton John Smyth, husband, Clifford King, brother, Fred Boulter, brother, Ralph Boulter, brother, John (Jock) Boulter and sister Joan Tullikopf. A service will be held at the Arboretum in Trochu on Thursday, August 17th at 2 pm, a luncheon will follow. Interment will be held at a later date.
