Educator.
Born at London, England around 1908, daughter of Catherine McLeod (1871-1950) and John McLennan Bain (1874-1930), she moved to Canada with her family in 1912 and was raised at 196 Horace Street in the Norwood neighbourhood, attending school locally and in Winnipeg. She became a teacher, working at McAulay (?-?) and Steep Rock School (1925-1928, Principal 1926-1928), after which she was Principal of Lavallee School (1928-1935) in St. Vital. She later taught in the Norwood School District, including at King George Fifth School (1940s), where she met fellow educator Keith Ian Sanburn Smith. On 28 February 1948, she married schoolteacher Keith Ian Sanburn Smith at her mother's residence, 184 Enfield Crescent, where they continued to live. She was a member of the Norwood United Church. She died at the St. Boniface Hospital on 10 October 1968 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
1916 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.
“The funeral of John McLennan Bain [...],” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 March 1930, page 5.
“Engagements,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 January 1948, page 12.
“Party arranged for betrothed couple,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 February 1948, page 12.
“Buffet supper held for Irene Bain,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 February 1948, page 12.
“Irene Bain bride of K. I. Smith,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 March 1948, page 10.
“Irene Marie Bain is bride of Keith Ian Smith, Winnipeg Tribune, 1 March 1948, page 13.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 12 October 1968, page 33.
St. Boniface estate files (ATG 0064A) #9995 Irene Marie Eleanor Smith, GR5705, Archives of Manitoba.
Obituary [Keith Ian Sanburn Smith], Winnipeg Free Press, 22 February 1972, page 29.
Elmwood Cemetery burial transcriptions, FindAGrave.
Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens burial transcriptions, FindAGrave.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 7 November 2024
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