Mrs. Eva Marie Smith

Eva Marie Smith, aged 67, of Caeco Ranch in the foothills of Alberta, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Eva moved to Alberta as a teenager, where she attended Mount Royal College. She found her true sense of home in the open land and wide skies. In her early adult years, she met Chris, and the two shared a connection that was undeniable from the start. They were engaged within three months and married just three months later—a love story built on certainty, loyalty, and a deep, enduring bond. Eva and Chris had many adventures together, one of them being on October 14, 1977, the grand opening of Sportsmith, their sporting goods store in High River, Alberta. During this time, Eva learned a new passion for snowmobiling and sport shooting. Eva became an accomplished snowmobile racer, racing in cross-country and Grand Prix. In 1979, Eva and Chris’s passion for adventure brought them to new heights with Balloon Dimensions. Eva became well known for performing repairs and building custom artwork on hot air balloons, eventually getting her own pilot’s license. She loved the adventure and challenge of every flight. In the early 90’s Eva returned to her first love - Horses. Together, Eva and Chris built Caeco Ranch from the ground up—quite literally. With their own hands, and with the help of their three children, they poured their hearts into shaping the ranch into the legacy Eva had always dreamed of. The ranch stands today as a testament to family, perseverance, and love for the Western Lifestyle: horses grazing in quiet pastures, the mountains in the distance and memories held in every fence post and barn beam. Eva’s happiest days were spent raising and training horses, riding through the trails of Kananaskis Country, or surrounded by her family and friends – the people she cherished most. She had a remarkable ability to leave an imprint on everyone she met, remembered for her strength, warmth, creativity and unwavering determination. Her presence was steady, loving, and deeply rooted. Eva is survived by her husband, Chris; her children, Shannon (Jamie), Tyler (Ashley), and Jason (Sarah) Smith; and her grandchildren: Bailee, Tristan, Kendra, and Lacey Smith. She is predeceased by her father Morris (2010); brother Andy (2023), and is survived by her mother Adele Harasym; her siblings, Vera Smeall (Doug) and Bill Harasym (Leigh). She also leaves behind numerous cousins, including her closest cousin Lynda Damen; and her nieces and nephews: Carrie Smeall-Ralson (AL), Beverley Smeall, Greg Smeall (Kierstin), and Jeff Smeall (Jessie)—all of whom will carry her memory with love and gratitude. Eva’s legacy—of courage, devotion, and a love that built both a ranch and a family foundation—will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her nature and family. A Celebration of Eva’s Life will be held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 - Turner Valley on November 15th at 1:00 pm. Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242.

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Mrs. Eva Marie Smith

March 28, 1958 - October 23, 2025