Bona Gertrude (McBurnie) Smith - 82, Nictaux Falls, Annapolis County, formerly of Truro, and resided for 38 years in Clyde River, Shelburne County, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Sunday morning, January 29, 2012, at Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born March 1, 1929, in Diligent River, Cumberland County, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Pearl (Parsons) McBurnie.

Bona’s outstanding love for life and the outdoors of hunting, fishing and camping was a joy she shared with all in her life. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother whose love and tenderness with children and animals was extraordinary.

Bona is survived by her husband, Fraser W. Smith; children, Bona (John) Hayward, Truro; Donna Severance, Alberta; Allen (Audrey) Smith, Dartmouth; Brenda Bower, Alberta; Cecil (Barbara) Smith, Lockeport; Barbara (Norman) LeBlanc, Annapolis; Amanda (Douglas) Halliday, Nictaux; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sisters, Vera (Donald) MacAllister, Great Village; Annie (Harold “Happy”) Frizzell, Bible Hill. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all medical personnel that have taken care of Bona over the last years. A sincere thank you to Dr. Julia Merryweather, Dr. Michael Mulherin and the nurses and support staff of Intensive Care Unit, Medical A and Medical B Units of Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, for the kindness and tender care you gave our wife and mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall ~ Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Bona’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2012, and where the funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Flowers or donations in Bona’s memory to a charity of choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting the “Guest Book” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com