Lois Smith, a former prima ballerina in the prestigious National Ballet of Canada, passed away at her Port Stalashen home last Saturday at the age of 81.
Though her dance career was legendary earning her the Order of Canada in 1980, her influence on the Sunshine Coast dance community was also considerable.
Smith was born in Burnaby and did not study ballet intensively until the age of 15 when she captured leading roles in musical productions.
In Toronto she met dancer David Adams, their daughter Janine was born, and the couple joined Celia Franca's new classical ballet company in 1951. Later in life Smith recalled those days of working for low wages and touring in small towns, where she would cut her colleagues' hair to save money. Eventually, ballet gained credibility in Canada and Smith and Adams emerged as the National Ballet's leading couple.
When Adams left the marriage to further his career in London, Smith opened her own dance studio in Toronto (later a part of George Brown College) and was highly regarded as a teacher.
After retirement, Smith moved back to B.C. and to the Sunshine Coast in 1988.
Coast dancers Paul and Nicola Blakey met Smith through a mutual friend and, in 1992, Smith and the Blakeys along with dancer Verity Purdy formed the SC Dance Society, which is still active today, to provide performing opportunities for students.
"Lois had expertise in administration and having her, a prima ballerina, as president of the society gave it a certain cachet," remembers Paul Blakey.
When the society put on its annual Celebration of Dance, Smith loved to choreograph and attend to costumes.
"It was good for the younger dancers to see the work and attention to detail that she put into it," he said. "She was a mentor for dance students."
Smith also organized a $500 scholarship bursary for youngdancers and this was awarded for many years. She is also remembered as an active board member of the Festival of the Written Arts for 10 years.
Although ballet was always her first love, she liked to square dance in Sechelt, and there she met her partner of the last 12 years, Bruce Buvyer.
"She was the most wonderful dancing partner you could ever want," Buvyer said fondly, and the couple continued to ballroom dance right up until a few years ago when her advancing Alzheimer's made it difficult.
Buvyer relates that Smith loved to work at her stained glass hobby. She enjoyed swimming, sailing, was expert at handling a boat and loved to watch the ocean and the sea birds by her waterfront home.
A memorial is planned for today, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at Gibsons United Church. There will be a gathering in the church hall after the service. All are welcome to attend.
