HELEN GOULD HURLEY SMITH

On the same day that Helen Smith arrived into the world at a private hospital in Geelong, on the other side of the world the governments of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were busy signing the Pact of the Union. The date was January 19, 1921. While Helen may never have made it to Central America in her travels later in life, she certainly found the time to explore far flung parts of the globe and see how other people lived.

Helen, who died on June 3, 2021, after having lived in and around central and Southwestern Victoria for more than 100 years, had a life divided into several distinct parts.

The daughter of Nell and Thomas Sutcliffe and the sister of Margaret Sutcliffe, Helen grew up in Geelong and attended Morongo Presbyterian Girls College on Bell Post Hill near Geelong.

From school she did her training and study to become a nurse and dietician at the Geelong Hospital until 1947 when at the age of 26 she married Clarence Gordon Coverdale Smith to become a farmer's wife, and later in life a farmer in her own right.

The couple settled on a farm at Elaine near Ballarat in Victoria and raised their three children Diana, Heather and Andrew.

"You couldn't wear her out!"

Although Helen moved to Geelong later in life, she still spent time on the property in New South Wales which she continued to manage with the help of her son Andrew and share-farmer Barry. It was only in the last couple of years that she moved to her daughter Heather's farm at Vite Vite North, before moving into residential aged care at Aberlea in Mortlake.

When Helen turned 100 at Aberlea they held a small party for her with family and residents.

"She loved the celebration and the cards from The Queen and other dignitaries - such a treat!

"She was the most positive person, always, and she was always happy - it was quite amazing really.

"She had her wits about her right up until the end. We were so lucky to have had her for as long as we did.

"How many people are lucky enough to still have a loving mother with them when they are in their late sixties and early seventies themselves?"

Helen is survived by her three children Diana, Heather and Andrew; grandsons David, Caleb and Clarrie; great grandchildren Jasper, Ruby and June; daughter-in-law Claire; and grand daughters-in-law Bec and Momoko.

Helen's funeral will be conducted by Tuckers Funeral Services Geelong. Due to Covid restrictions, details are still being finalised.