A Restricted Funeral Service (Due to COVID19) will be held for Mr Ian Bowden SMITH.
We wish to encourage you to express your sympathies and condolences to the family via a post on this announcement which the family are able to access and read.
(All messages are pending the approval of staff to avoid inappropriate content)
Ian’s Service will be live streamed on Tuesday (7th September 2021) at 1.00pm.
Please go to the Live Stream Tab on our main page on Tuesday to view the service.
On behalf of Mum, Craig, Rach, Ash & Jules- Thanks to all who watched and supported us on this very sad dayy. It was a very tough day with lots of memories and tears. Special thanks to David Lovell, for putting all together with your thoughts, words and memories. Also thanks to Aunty Marg, Uncle John and Murray who all spoke and added to our memories of their MATE Smithy. We will miss you dearly dad. Ash
Message from Betty:
Thank you to everyone who attended Ian’s beautiful send-off, and those who were able to tune in on the live stream, along with the messages here and over the past few weeks.
Ian would have been stoked at this last performance!
Thank you again, it means so much.
Love, Betty, Craig, Rach, Ash, Julian & the families
💖
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(For those who weren’t able to tune in, the permanent link is here (with an option to download it if internet access is spotty): https://vimeo.com/showcase/7286315/video/596323972 )
To Betty, Jules, Rach, Ash, Craig and Families
I just want to send my love to you all and wanted to commend you on what a wonderful tribute to Smithy! I loved hearing the funny stories and the great music. I had a tear roll down my face watching the beautiful photos and the amazing song that went with it! I’m sure Smithy is up there having a smoke and having a great catch up with my dad Geoff.
❤️
Julie (Bill)
To Aunty Betty, Craig, Rach, Ash and Jules and extended family,
My heart felt condolences to you all on the loss of Uncle Ian. Such a character, with a beautiful warm cheeky smile and a wonderful sense of humour and laugh. I have many memories of him being so encouraging at endless ballet concerts. Also memories of the incredible musical talent that shines through in Ash and Craig. Thinking of you Aunty Betty – what a loyal wife you’ve been showing much love and compassion in the harder times. Big hugs to you Rach, Craig and Jules.
Love, Kirsty Tweddle
Smithy, Uncle Ian,
To Betty and all your Family, we would like to pass to you our sincere Sympathy to you all at this time. Although we haven’t crossed paths for many years,
Smithy and you Betty were a big part of my life growing up. From family Christmas Days, Smithys music, that infectious laugh, I will never forget my young day’s growing up with “Uncle Ian”. They will be cherished.
To you all we pass on all our love, hugs and blessings at this time of sadness on Smithy’s passing.
Ken and Es Bottomley
Well done, Smith family, a lovely tribute to our friend Ian. We first met Betty & Ian in 1975 and have enjoyed their love & friendship in Christ all those years, and are so glad we had the opportunity to do that. Our love to Betty & all the family, & we look forward to meeting Smithy again in heaven.
Dear Betty ,Craig, Rachel, Ashley and Julian. Our love and sympathy at this sad time. Many memories of a happier time. Judy and Kevin Keath
Hey Jules,
Whilst I never really knew your dad I would see him from time to time on his scooter down at the Island, always smiling and always giving a friendly wave
Mick Tudor
Dear Betty and Family,
Our thoughts are with you all today, as you farewell and remember Ian. A kind hearted man, who was always had a smile on his face and a story to tell.
He will be missed.
Phil, Alison, Paris and Siena Thomson xo
‘Smithy’ where do i start. So many memories from school – especially in winter around the piano at lunch time. You were so talented on piano – I still can’t play by ‘ear’. Then so many years later when Gary & I visited you & Betty at Cowes. What a great few days we had – the start of a special friendship with Betty & also got to meet Rachel & Julian. I’m sure you & Gary will now be really ‘kicking up a storm’. Rest in peace. Love & prayers for Betty & all you family💕🙏
Dear Smith’s…
Our hearts are with you today as you walk through your Covid restrictions Celebration of Ians life..
As you fold up the ‘tent’ of Dads earthly body be encouraged as you call to mind the memories you shared with him . Be comforted and encouraged that we share this day with you!
How could we forget the twinkling eyes, the yarns , the laugh ,the roll of the keys on the Boort Bapts piano (oh no sorry .. that was the organist Mrs Frosts eyes. 😅)
Love and hugs to you all and special hugs to Betty his very loyal wife.x
A true gentleman departs and a new star in the sky. A genuine character that left a smile on the face of every person he met (and one goat😁). Love ya Smithy xoxox all our love Gerry and family
Dear Ian/Dad/Pa,
Thank you for the precious time that we had together. You were always smiling, ready to listen, happy to share a story and your time, and always had a joke ready to tell. We spent many an afternoon together fishing, a favourite hobby that you passed onto Jules, and now to your grand children. I loved our fishing competitions, which I’m not sure you ever won! I think that’s because we did far more talking than we ever did fishing!! You complimented every meal we ever shared like it was your favourite, and we could talk for hours on any and every topic. You loved that Jack was into acting, a favourite past hobby of yours and you could talk to Daniel about his tennis, with memories of the court from your childhood. As for Evie, you were happy just to sit and watch her gym routines with admiration and giving her lots of encouragement. I will miss you Ian, and you coming in for a second hug every time. I do remember once giving you a reminder that you liked to stand a little close while talking. Rather than saying anything, instead I took a step in and rested my face on yours. With a chuckle you said “I get a bit close don’t I”. We laughed so hard together over this one. Stepping in close was just because you enjoyed listening, sharing, and to show that you cared. I’ll miss that very much.
We love you and will miss you Ian/Dad/Pa. All our love forever Daniel, Jackson, Evie and Rachel xoxoxoxo
Deepest sympathies to Jules and Rachel and all the family, Smithy sounds like a truly great man and Jules is a chip off the ol block. Wonderful stories shared here and I hope bring some comfort in the difficult days and weeks ahead. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Rest in peace Ian.
Oh Dad, I miss you. Thinking about the fun, and the challenging times, I miss our conversations over the years – we’d cover all sorts of topics, you’d share funny stories from your day as well as tell me some interesting tidbit from the world. I’ll always miss you, I wish life had been a bit kinder to you, and I wish I’d been kinder and more understanding at times. You were a super dad, and my mate. Love always,
Rach
It is always hard to find the right words that will soothe and comfort. Some memories that come to mind are the long chats Ian and I used to have when he came over to stay saying it was his “little retreat”. He always appreciated a good meal, and ate whatever was put on the table giving thanks to God for all the blessings. He loved relaxing on the couch after dinner eating his chocolate block which he shared sparingly!! 🙂 He was never short of a word and felt comfortable staying even when we were working through the day. He would potter around, drive to the shops, go for a walk and sit out the back verandah, smoke in hand, staring into the sky. We would hear back later from our office ladies that he even found time to to have a loooong yarn with them. He was well dressed for the occasion dressed in his famous Smithy ” a la casual” attire of no shirt and shorts. A great hit! He was happy to see us at night to have a good yarn and tell us about his day. He even got used to our cat Glennie, who would sit near him while he read his magazine. I loved the tomato plants he gave us and the little packets of seeds to plant in our back yard. He loved his tomato relish and Aussie bacon and eggs breakfast. We spent some great days out, and have fond memories. There were many good times and some not so good times in latter years, but what I appreciated most and will remember is that Ian was the genuine article. Rare these days..A no nonsense type of person who was straight down the line. I will miss that… Hope you are talking up a storm with the Big J.C. and can put in a good word for me! Peace and Blessings to you and look forward to catching up with you. Lots of love Lee.
Lee, that is so beautiful, I just read this out to mum. xxxx
Thanks for being a great dad/mentor/ friend.
You gave us the freedom to reach for our goals in life and always up for a chat.
I remember fondly as a youngster, stepping in your footprints as I followed you around the irrigation At all hours of the day and night.
Love you and miss you heaps. Rest up. It was a tough and challenging life for you.
Lots of love from Ash Lee Amber
“Smithy” an influencer, innovator, a character as played in many stage shows, life of the party, musician extraordinaire, band leader, a Farmer at the forefront of change and technology advances, and a champion friend to those of us that remember. Unfortunately a life lost of these potentials, so sad.
Our Love and sincere condolences to Betty and Family, your dedication, strength, and understanding over the years has not been unnoticed.
Murray and Betty Lanyon