Dawn (Tee) Giddings

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dawn Giddings (nee Tee)

Beloved mother, mother-in law, grandma/Grams, on November 24, 2025. She passed away peacefully in Smithers hospital with her sons at her side.
She left us at the age of 90, a milestone she was deeply determined and proud to have reached.
Dawn was born in Glatton, a small village near Peterborough, UK, on April 2, 1935, the third child of George and Stella Tee. Dawn spent her early years in the UK, where her family operated a successful publishing company for MotorSport magazine.
Her father had traveled to Canada several times as a young man and always spoke of it with great admiration. His stories left a strong impression on the family. When Dawn was 15 years old, her family decided to immigrate to Canada, which started with a ten-day boat voyage across the Atlantic. They arrived in New York, and then continued on to Canada by train, settling in Prince George, BC.
Dawn’s parents encouraged their children to find work once they arrived, and she soon secured a position in the kitchen at the Vanderhoof Hospital. She lived there for three years, creating some of her fondest memories - among them hiking up Sinket mountain, her first taste of independence (including her first alcoholic drink) and being crowned Miss Vanderhoof.
For an extra $40 a month, Dawn was persuaded to move to Smithers. A few years later, she married Ken, and together they had five children: Alfred, Ken, Dave, Elizabeth, and Donald. After the loss of their infant daughter and later her husband, Dawn raised her four boys on her own while working at the hospital. Her sons were her greatest joy, and in her eyes they could do no wrong.
Dawn worked at the Smithers Hospital for over 40 years and made many life long friends. After her sons left home, she opened her home to nurses and student doctors who were new to town. This led to many friendships, as well as her fourth daughter-in-law. She was well known for her staff Christmas parties, which she loved to host.
Dawn was equally remembered for her generosity. When her son’s friends needed a place to stay or a meal, she welcomed them without hesitation. If she knew someone was going to be alone during special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving, she would invite them to join her family.
Dawn had a fearless spirit and a love for adventure. She enjoyed curling, hiking, golfing, downhill skiing, and biking. Though she never felt entirely confident in the water, that didn’t stop her from joining friends on canoeing trips or even getting on a tube behind a jetboat at the age of 85 with her grandkids.
Dawn loved her community of friends in Smithers. She enjoyed her coffee group, game nights at the Legion, Canasta with friends on Thursdays, aquafit at the pool, and bowling, even participating in the Senior Games a few times.
She will be greatly missed by her sons Ken (Marcia), Dave (Connie), daughters-in-law Alison and Nancy, her grandchildren Roxane, Kristie, Travis, Adrian, Kara, Clayton, Brady, Victoria, Rachel and Jonathan, as well as her great grandchildren, nieces and nephew and her many friends.
She was predeceased by her sons Alfred and Donald, her daughter Elizabeth, her brother George and sister Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dawn’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society, a cause meaningful to her and her family.
A celebration of Dawn’s life will be held in Smithers in the spring.

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