smith was educated at st. michael's college in the university of toronto, receiving a bachelor of arts in philosophy. she was the founding member of mme. vanier children's services and diocesan catholic social services in london, ontario, and served on the board of governors for the university of western ontario. in 2001, smith received a doctor of laws degree from the university of western ontario. smith lived in london, ontario. her husband don smith was the co-founder of ellisdon, an employee-owned construction services company that was incorporated in 1951 in london, ontario. she and don raised seven children. she died in london after suffering a head injury in st. lucia in february 2016. she was 88.