Menu Cornerstone Funeral Home
Printer Logo

Smart, Karen

May 20, 2025

KAREN JOYCE SMART, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Thomas Smart, passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the age of 86 years, after a fierce two-year battle with cancer. Her spirit was unyielding, marked by a tenacious drive to embrace every moment of life. 

Besides her husband Tom of 48 years, Karen is survived by her son Dave Munroe, daughter Linda (Ken) Pickering and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Amanda (Anthony) Rodzinyak (Emily, Callie), Mark (Jolene) Pickering (Jocelyn, Grayson, Zachary, Jameson), and Jaylene (Ian) Chrupka (Sawyer). She is also survived by her siblings: Gay (Bob) Sauerwein, Ted (Marlise) Sillito, Judy (Gary) Wojtowicz, Rhonda Hamilton, Tyler (Macket) Martinuk, and Randy (Wendy) Martinuk; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Tom Martinuk.

Karen was born July 5, 1939, in Fort Macleod and grew up in Orton, Alberta.

Karen went to work at Automatic Electric in 1961, where she met Tom. Tom and Karen married on July 10, 1976, where Tom became an instant father to Karen’s children. She made many lifelong friends there and they kept in touch over the years through reunions. After she retired from Automatic Electric, she became a day home provider. She had many children go through her home; she treated every child like they were her own grandchildren.

Karen and Tom loved taking the grandchildren on many trips before they settled camping in the Crowsnest Pass with her family and later at Highlands Campground. Tom and Karen were members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

A Celebration of Life will take place at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. with Rev. Daniel Surya officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, c/o Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (crhfoundation.ca)