Obituary of Mariela Smith

Smith, Mariela (nee Cortes) Peacefully at University Hospital on September 8th, 2020, Mariela Smith in her 78th year. Beloved wife of Patrick Francis and loving mother of Theresa Marie (Robert Tate) and adoring grandmother to Ava Marie. Predeceased by her parents Juan Evangelista and Benedicta Cortes, sister Maria Theresa, brothers Jorge and Jesus all of Bogota, Colombia, and by brothers-in-law Philip Edmund and Bernard Clarence of Teviotdale and Port Alma, Ontario. Survived by sisters Clara de Mogica and Marina de Ruan, and sister-in-law Joan Marie Sassano of Chicago, Illinois. Also predeceased by aunts Maria Magdalena, Ramona and Rosa Cortes, uncles Juan and Luis Cortes, and longtime friend Haydee (Ricardo Diaz) of Bogota, Colombia. Mariela will be fondly remembered by dear friends Teresa and Jose Aquirre, Angelica and Stan Gonsalves, Veronica and John Gonsalves of Brampton, George Aquirre of Ottawa, Carmen Perez, Josephine and Jose Gigante of London, and Zoila Solano and family of Toronto. Especially remembered by Barbara and Robert Tate Sr. of London, Marlene and Frank Pasquale of Darian Illinois, Ellen Smith of Port Alma, Candice Bray of Glencoe, and Elaine and Don Stevens of Woodstock. After graduating from Colombia's National University she served as an economist with the Colombia Department of Trade before deciding to come to Canada. On her way she met her future husband Patrick in Miami and they were married within two years and settled in London, Ontario. She was an avid reader and decorator and loved to travel with her husband. She especially enjoyed theatre, opera, and good conversation and always retained a sense of humour. Mariela will fondly be missed by those that knew her. Visitors will be received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Wednesday evening from 6-6:45 and from 7-8 o'clock where the funeral service will be held Thursday at 12 noon. Inurnment to follow at at Holy Family Mausoleum, St. Peter's Cemetery in London. Due to COVID -19 restrictions as per the Bereavement Authority of Ontario a limited number of people are able to attend each visitation and service. Please email donohue@donohuefuneralhome.ca or call 519-434-2708 for availability. Donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of London would be appreciated.