The Smith Legacy: A Hope for the Future
Dr. Clarence and Margaret Smith dedicated a large portion of their lives to the betterment of humankind, using education and volunteerism to provide care to the less fortunate. Now, they leave behind a legacy that will support Medicine Hat College (MHC) nursing students through the Dr. Clarence and Margaret Smith Memorial Award, passing their torch to a new generation of helping professionals for years to come.
A Dedication to Education
For some, education is simply a step toward a career, but to the Smiths, it meant so much more. Throughout their lives, education allowed them to pursue their passions and serve their communities in work and in life.
For Dr. Clarence (1922-2001), a desire to work with large animals in a rural setting pushed him to pursue a degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, after serving in World War II. He found a community in need of animal support in Pincher Creek, where he and his wife settled and pioneered its first veterinary practice.
Margaret (1927-2022) served her community through her commitment to nursing. Trained at the Royal Alex in Edmonton, she intermittently worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Pincher Creek as a nurse and in the community as a public health nurse, while raising their six children.
After 20 years, the couple moved to Medicine Hat, where Dr. Clarence founded Cypress View Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Alan Bergen, and Margaret joined the Victorian Order of Nurses, using her skills and experience to support home and community care. In 1985, Margaret returned to school, obtaining a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Lethbridge, and becoming a registered nurse.
“Our parents wanted us to choose careers based on passion,” says their daughter, Dorothy Smith. “In the 60’s and 70’s, a university degree was considered a good grounding in the arts and sciences, and eventually all six children had at least one degree. When my Mom returned to school for her RN, she jokingly said that she “had to keep up with her kids.”
A Commitment to Community
To preserve the history of early farm and ranching life around the of Pincher Creek, Dr. Clarence became a founding member of the historical society, helping to establish the community’s first museum, which evolved into a Historical Society and Pioneer Village. He also sat on the Pincher Creek School Board for many years, where he continued to be an advocate for quality education.
In Medicine Hat and after retiring from practice in 1988, he helped establish the Society of Neighbours, and assisted in the work of the Medicine Hat Food Bank, Neighbourhood Kitchen, and SPCA. He was recognized as the Saamis Rotary Club "Citizen of the Year" in 1992.
Clarence and Margaret then packed their bags and travelled around the world to help individuals in need, becoming Canadian Executive Services Overseas (CESO) volunteers. They visited China multiple times, where Clarence taught animal husbandry, or the raising of livestock, and Margaret taught English. They also visited El Salvador with the Pastors for Peace and Jamaica, where they supported the Blossom Garden Children’s Centre. They were also significant supporters of the “My Father’s House” orphanage in Bucharest, Romania.
“Our parents shared a vision about life that revolved around helping others and never turning a blind eye to those in need,” says their son, Richard Smith. “Success was not defined by the pursuit of money but always by our individual and collective efforts to help those around us whenever the opportunity arose to do so.”
A Hope for Future Nurses
The Smiths had strongly held beliefs in universal health care and in creating ‘a floor of medical assistance below which no person can fall.’ In a similar manner, they believed that a lack of money should not affect an individual’s right to an education, particularly true for anyone facing obstacles or impediments to following their passion, getting an education, and starting a career.
The Smiths understood the critical role that nurses have and continue to play in the health care system, and accordingly, they wished to direct the money they have left behind to the future generation of nurses, through the Dr. Clarence and Margaret Smith Memorial Award.
Supporting MHC nursing students, priority will be given to those who need a “hand up” in their education. Those who apply with demonstrated financial need, from a historically underrepresented group, and/or have overcome an obstacle to pursue their education, will be given the opportunity to qualify for the funding.
“The legacy of Dr. Clarence and Margaret Smith lives on, and their values and efforts will continue to positively touch lives and improve the world,” says Dr. Jason Openo, dean of health and community services at MHC.
“We are deeply grateful for their donation because it will eliminate barriers less advantaged students face when pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and it will help MHC produce nurses that look like the increasingly diverse population they serve. These scholarships allow qualified candidates who couldn’t afford a college education to achieve their dreams, and the ambitions of the Smith family.”
Honoured by their contribution to its students, MHC has also dedicated a classroom within the School of Health and Community Services to the Smiths. Classroom E153 will continue to recognize Dr. Clarence and Margaret and the support they are providing to students over the next 10 years.
Students may apply for the funding through the annual scholarship and bursary application, open March 1 – June 1. To learn more, visit www.mhc.ab.ca.