Obituary of Sophie Mary Beaulieu
Sophie Mary Beaulieu (Smilnak)
May 12 1931 – March 15 2022
We are heartbroken, yet take some comfort in my mother’s release of this earthly life. It was a long painful journey for her since the love of her life, her husband Joe passed away. (Sept 2020) She longed to be reunited with him. We were truly blessed to care for her in our home since his passing. The last few months were a struggle for her as she grew weaker.
Born May 12 1931 in Bardejov, Slovakia . Sophie immigrated to Canada at age 4 months with her mother Sophie Smilnak, and sisters Mary (Vitez) and Anne (Timco).
Raised in St. Catharines, she married Joseph Beaulieu on April 22 1950 . They celebrated 70 years of marriage, raised two sons and a daughter, had 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Sophie was recognized by the City of St. Catharines in May 2010 for 32 years of volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul Store. She continued her services until 2018 when her health forced her to retire after 40 years.
Sophie and Joe modelled a life of volunteerism. They helped collect and deliver food baskets at Christmas, collecting items to provide help for people in need. Visiting the sick was important to Sophie, as was providing nourishing meals to them. She always went out of her way to comfort others. Matthew 25:36 ‘naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and you visited Me. I was in prison and you came to Me’
God and praying the Rosary was the centre of her daily life. Sophie and Joe were founding members of St. Thomas Aquinas Church where they worshiped and were active in their faith community. She was a member of the CWL for 68 years.
Mom was an amazing cook and baker, especially known for her pies. She would also prepare delicious meals of venison that Joe would bring home from his hunting trips. She was a talented knitter, creating endless sweaters and gloves, mitts, hats, blankets and slippers which she lovingly crafted for her family and friends.
Joe and Sophie also made their beloved cottage a place of beauty with all their hard work. It was the place they both loved to spend time at. Sophie was a hard worker, loved her family unconditionally and always offered her help wherever she could. She had a huge giving heart.
Along with her family, her many friends will miss her loving kind presence. A special thank you to her dear friends of 85 years Teresa and Jeannine, her nieces Linda and Sandie, who continued to show her their love.
Cremation has taken place. In keeping with her wishes a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church by the family.
She touched everyone’s life with love and kindness so paying her legacy forward are the gestures of remembrance she would appreciate.
“There is no death, people only die when you forget them. If you remember me, I will be with you always.” I am broken hearted to have lost you, my mother, my best friend. I am at peace though and rejoice to know that you are now with God and in the loving arms of Dad. My family will miss you in our daily lives, but you left us with a lifetime of precious memories to cherish. I will always love you Mom, your daughter Annette and husband Andre, grandsons Aaron and Jared Roskar
Matthew 25:23 ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’
