Helen Magelena Gifford

We are saddened to announce the passing of Helen (Honey) Gifford-Smith of Saskatoon, SK on June 14, 2025, at the age of 90 years old.

Honey was born to parents Margaret and John Schatz of Allan, SK on April 21, 1935. In childhood, she was best known as “Honey” by all that knew and loved her. The family eventually moved to Saskatoon, where she lived most of her life.

In 1954, Honey met and married Aurthur Allan Gifford (Giff) Gifford and together they had four children, Ronald Owen, Don Charles, Alanna Therese, and David Michael. In 1966 she suddenly became a widow and to support her children and self, worked for many years as a waitress in various establishments. Honey was a very well respected and loved server, who took such pride in her appearance and the skill of serving others. Her last place of employment in Saskatoon was Hy’s Steak House in the Midtown Plaza. Honey was employed there for more than twenty years. It was during that time in 1979, Honey met her “Night in Shining Armor”, George Harvey Smith. The two of them became inseparable and it wasn’t long after that they decided to move to the beautiful Okanagan in BC. It is there that their beautiful journey of thirty-five years began. Over their years there, they had a couple of acreages, where they enjoyed their pets, gardens, flowers and each other. Together they had a very successful janitorial business in Vernon, working very hard with long days and nights. When they retired, and purchased a motorboat, the summers were spent on Mable Lake fishing, strolling or just relaxing on the beach. Winter was the time Honey loved her Bingo’s, casinos, walks along the river, or used her exceptional knitting and crocheting skills. Honey handmade a wide variety of blankets, doilies, sweaters, doll clothes, etc. There really wasn’t anything she couldn’t make. Honey also made hundreds of baby blankets that were proudly donated to the maternity ward in Vernon Hospital.

In 2017, a few years after she lost her world, George, she returned to Saskatoon, where she resided with her daughter, Alanna. Though Honey very much missed her life in BC, she loved the time she spent doing jigsaw puzzles, scratch tickets, walks when she could, but her favorite time was with her granddaughter Dawn, grandson-in-law Randy, and her special great granddaughter Hannah.

Honey was predeceased by husband George, parents John and Margaret Schatz, brother Arny, sisters Eileen, Luella, and Lil, brothers-in-law Clayton, Bill, Lyonel, and Doc, sister-in-law Pat, daughter-in-law Constance, and first husband Allan (Giff).

Honey is survived by sons Ron, Don (Karan), David, daughter Alanna, sister Bernie, grandchildren Dawn (Randy), Dustin (Ali), Brett, Ashley and Jessica (Danny), great grandchildren Hannah, Jorie, Hallie, and Sianna, and many nieces and nephews.

In the past year, Honey’s health began declining with various illnesses. She has spent time in and out of the hospital, mostly due to lung and heart conditions. For the last two months, Honey has been in the care of St. Paul’s Hospital and the last nine days in the Palliative Care unit, where the staff were amazing, keeping her very comfortable. She passed peacefully with her daughter and granddaughter by her side.

As per Honey’s wishes, there will be no service. Honey will be cremated and placed with her love, George. At a later date, their ashes will be taken back to the Okanagan, where they were the happiest together.

Forever in our hearts and memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice.

Cherished Memories is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Helen.