Obituary for Natalie Lynn Hazel Smith
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving daughter Natalie after a courageous battle with leukemia. She passed in her mother’s arms, with her father by her side surrounded by family listening to her favorite song by Florida Georgia Line, Simple.
Left to cherish her memory is her mother Alysha Gareau, brother Zachary Smith, father Randy and Amy Smith, and half sister Charlotte . She is also survived by her great grandmother Myrna Oliver, grandparents Ron and Cheryl Kaatz, Donald Gareau and Kimberly Dolenuck, Roy and Patricia Smith, great grandparents Ed and Cecile Gareau, Uncle Neal and Christy Smith, Aunty Judy Smith and Tim Scott, Aunty Melissa and Matthew Wieler, Aunty Makayla Kaatz and Uncle Avery Kaatz, cousins Grayson, Bentley, Taylah, Emmett, Kyelynn. Along with many great/ adopted uncles, aunts and numerous cousins and friends. She was preceded by her great grandfather Russell Oliver, and great grandmother Elizabeth Smith.
She was born unexpectedly early at the Women’s Hospital in Winnipeg at 4:26 am on May 31, 2009, sharing a birthday with her Aunty Brenda. She was a tiny peanut weighting 6 pounds 13oz, stealing everyone’s heart the moment they laid eyes on her. Big brother, Zachary, was her protector, ensuring she was always safe. She grew up in Woodlands for the first 7 years of her life. It was there she grew up to become an amazing young lady who loved all animals, big or small. Her puppy Roxy and her many kitties were a few of her favourites. She enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ farm, helping her Aunty Judy check cows, and going for horse rides on Shorty.
She loved everything about school, she wanted to learn how to read and do math just like Zachary. After coming home from school, she was excited to sharing any new songs and learnings from that day. Natalie attended Woodlands Elementary from Kindergarten to grade 2, then transferred to Warren Elementary for the remainder of grade 2 to grade 4. Every day after getting off the bus, she would start on her homework, often seeking out the help of Granny or Mom. Granny worked hard with her every week on her spelling, so she could get that perfect score on Fridays spelling tests.
Natalie also had a passion for dance. She attended classes in Stonewall where she tried a little of everything but fell in love with Tap. She later attended a tap class at Evolution Dance Studio in Selkirk, where she developed her tapping skills. While shopping for footwear, she would practice her foot work while singing up and down each isle.
Natalie’s first battle with Leukemia started in January 2016 when she was 6 years old. Her leukemia was discovered after developing excessive bruising from power skating and playing with Zachary. Devastated that she was unable to attend school, Mrs. Hoas was able to Facetime with her classmates so that Natalie could follow along. Natalie received a bone marrow transplant from her brother Zachary, who was a perfect genetic match, on March 8, 2016. By June she was declared cancer free and was able to return to school for the last few days of the school year.
After 3 amazing years of living cancer free, we found out on April 2, 2019 that the leukemia had returned. Devastated she would be missing school and her friends again she started her second battle with leukemia. On August 9, 2019 Natalie returned to the Children’s Hospital for her last round of chemo then her transplant. On August 14, 2019 my personal hero, a complete stranger to us, donated their bone marrow to Natalie which she received on August 15. Natalie passed due to medical complications that were beyond anyone’s control.
We would like to personally thank her Oncologist Dr. Geoff Cuveller, Pediatric nurses Jenny and Debbie and all of the amazing staff who work at the Pediatrics Cancer Care Manitoba. We would also like to thank every nurse, health care aide, housekeeping aide, and child life specialist who helped take care of Natalie. A very heart filled thank you to Herbert the clown, who always had a special place in Natalie’s heart and of course No Name the Magnificent from the good day show. We will never forget your kindness and all of your support over our time in the hospital. The family would also like to thank everyone who supported us all during her battles and continued support during our loss.
Funeral service will be held on August 29, 2019 at Meadow Lea Hall at 1pm with Rev. Patricia Baker officiating. She will have one last horse ride to Meadow Lea Cemetery curious of Laurel and Kim Blais of St. Laurent. If donations wish to be made please consider giving to the Children’s Hospital of Manitoba (CE501-840 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg Manitoba R3A 1S1 or Cancer Care Manitoba – Pediatrics (675 Mc Dermont Ave, Winnipeg Manitoba R3E 0V9).
Left to cherish her memory is her mother Alysha Gareau, brother Zachary Smith, father Randy and Amy Smith, and half sister Charlotte . She is also survived by her great grandmother Myrna Oliver, grandparents Ron and Cheryl Kaatz, Donald Gareau and Kimberly Dolenuck, Roy and Patricia Smith, great grandparents Ed and Cecile Gareau, Uncle Neal and Christy Smith, Aunty Judy Smith and Tim Scott, Aunty Melissa and Matthew Wieler, Aunty Makayla Kaatz and Uncle Avery Kaatz, cousins Grayson, Bentley, Taylah, Emmett, Kyelynn. Along with many great/ adopted uncles, aunts and numerous cousins and friends. She was preceded by her great grandfather Russell Oliver, and great grandmother Elizabeth Smith.
She was born unexpectedly early at the Women’s Hospital in Winnipeg at 4:26 am on May 31, 2009, sharing a birthday with her Aunty Brenda. She was a tiny peanut weighting 6 pounds 13oz, stealing everyone’s heart the moment they laid eyes on her. Big brother, Zachary, was her protector, ensuring she was always safe. She grew up in Woodlands for the first 7 years of her life. It was there she grew up to become an amazing young lady who loved all animals, big or small. Her puppy Roxy and her many kitties were a few of her favourites. She enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ farm, helping her Aunty Judy check cows, and going for horse rides on Shorty.
She loved everything about school, she wanted to learn how to read and do math just like Zachary. After coming home from school, she was excited to sharing any new songs and learnings from that day. Natalie attended Woodlands Elementary from Kindergarten to grade 2, then transferred to Warren Elementary for the remainder of grade 2 to grade 4. Every day after getting off the bus, she would start on her homework, often seeking out the help of Granny or Mom. Granny worked hard with her every week on her spelling, so she could get that perfect score on Fridays spelling tests.
Natalie also had a passion for dance. She attended classes in Stonewall where she tried a little of everything but fell in love with Tap. She later attended a tap class at Evolution Dance Studio in Selkirk, where she developed her tapping skills. While shopping for footwear, she would practice her foot work while singing up and down each isle.
Natalie’s first battle with Leukemia started in January 2016 when she was 6 years old. Her leukemia was discovered after developing excessive bruising from power skating and playing with Zachary. Devastated that she was unable to attend school, Mrs. Hoas was able to Facetime with her classmates so that Natalie could follow along. Natalie received a bone marrow transplant from her brother Zachary, who was a perfect genetic match, on March 8, 2016. By June she was declared cancer free and was able to return to school for the last few days of the school year.
After 3 amazing years of living cancer free, we found out on April 2, 2019 that the leukemia had returned. Devastated she would be missing school and her friends again she started her second battle with leukemia. On August 9, 2019 Natalie returned to the Children’s Hospital for her last round of chemo then her transplant. On August 14, 2019 my personal hero, a complete stranger to us, donated their bone marrow to Natalie which she received on August 15. Natalie passed due to medical complications that were beyond anyone’s control.
We would like to personally thank her Oncologist Dr. Geoff Cuveller, Pediatric nurses Jenny and Debbie and all of the amazing staff who work at the Pediatrics Cancer Care Manitoba. We would also like to thank every nurse, health care aide, housekeeping aide, and child life specialist who helped take care of Natalie. A very heart filled thank you to Herbert the clown, who always had a special place in Natalie’s heart and of course No Name the Magnificent from the good day show. We will never forget your kindness and all of your support over our time in the hospital. The family would also like to thank everyone who supported us all during her battles and continued support during our loss.
Funeral service will be held on August 29, 2019 at Meadow Lea Hall at 1pm with Rev. Patricia Baker officiating. She will have one last horse ride to Meadow Lea Cemetery curious of Laurel and Kim Blais of St. Laurent. If donations wish to be made please consider giving to the Children’s Hospital of Manitoba (CE501-840 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg Manitoba R3A 1S1 or Cancer Care Manitoba – Pediatrics (675 Mc Dermont Ave, Winnipeg Manitoba R3E 0V9).