Passing of Jennifer Smyl

[Tiger-Hearted]

This truly hurts. I never met her but Jennifer Smyl was my favourite hockey/sports wife...& not because she was married to my all-time favourite Canuck. She did so much for the Canucks' community activities. She was the Steamer's true love & rock. Heartfelt condolences, prayers  and thoughts to Steamer, the Smyl family and their loved ones.
RIP Jennifer.

[philtbc829]

Vale Jennifer Smyl.....I hope they name a wing in your honour at Canuck's Place....RIP.... 

[-DLC-]

"It is with a profound sense of sadness that the Vancouver Canucks and the Aquilini family announce the passing of Stan Smyl's wife of 42 years, Jennifer Smyl," the team said in a statement.

Author of the article:

Patrick Johnston

Publishing date:

Sep 23, 2022  •  44 minutes ago  •  1 minute read  •   Join the conversation

 

Jennifer and Stan Smyl in 2009. PHOTO BY FRED LEE

Jennifer Smyl, wife of former Vancouver Canucks captain Stan Smyl, has died.

The NHL team announced her death on Friday.

“It is with a profound sense of sadness that the Vancouver Canucks and the Aquilini family announce the passing of Stan Smyl’s wife of 42 years, Jennifer Smyl,” the team said in a statement.

 

“Jennifer was an active member of the Canucks’ community and integral part of charities associated with the team, including her work to help found Canuck Place.

 

“Our heartfelt condolences are with Jennifer’s family and loved ones at this time.”

 

Born and raised in New Westminster, Jennifer first met her future husband while she was working at the old Severin’s Restaurant in Burnaby.

 

As her husband rose in prominence, so did she, becoming one of the off-ice faces of the Canucks.

 

Known for her good humour and public-mindedness, it was no surprise she was heavily involved in the founding of Canuck Place, the children’s hospice founded in 1995 by what was then known as the Canuck Foundation.

 

The family — Stan and his children Jilian, Natalie and Spencer — are asking for privacy, the team added.

 

 

pjohnston@postmedia.com

 

twitter.com/risingaction

 

 

 

I really feel bad for Stan....tough to lose a loved one after spending nearly half a century together. A great loss to this city, as many have said. I hope the family finds comfort and strength at this difficult time.

[Hairy Kneel]

Aww terrible. I lost my mom in January and my sis in July.

Heartache hits hard at first, like one of Steamer's body checks.

[Elias Pettersson]

RIP Jennifer.  You will be missed….  

[SilentSam]

A prolific loss to the city and the organization,

.. and a true soulful one to Stan and the Family.

May your hearts fill with the love and pride she shared , it forever lives on within you.

 

[cripplereh]

Wow hope Stan and family have all the room and help to get threw this.

[John_Guest]

The first I remember hearing of Jennifer she was getting the Canucks wives and girlfriends together to do charity work. Do they still do that, I wonder.

 

I always thought of her like maybe the Canucks house mother. Something like that anyway.

[nuckin_futz]

Part of the organization for a long time. RIP Jennifer.

[Tinky-Winky]

She was in her 40s  much to young to pass, poor stan .../comfort

[tas]

26 minutes ago, x00x said:

She was in her 40s  much to young to pass, poor stan .../comfort

that's a little awkward since she was married to steamer for 42 years. 

[Coconuts]

A lot of that Canuck culture folks like to go off about, it started with her and Stan. Both of their impact on this franchise, the lower mainland, and BC is immeasurable. RIP.  

[Hairy Kneel]

Should do something for her at a game. Tribute video of them together. 

[Bombastik der Teutone]

Condolences from Germany  

[NewbieCanuckFan]

14 hours ago, John_Guest said:

The first I remember hearing of Jennifer she was getting the Canucks wives and girlfriends together to do charity work. Do they still do that, I wonder.

 

I always thought of her like maybe the Canucks house mother. Something like that anyway.

She also was heavily involved in helping Larionov & Krutov's wives when they came over.  Remember that we weren't a 'big budget team' back then (in terms of spending money) & couldn't just hire a full-time people to handle that sort of stuff (my speculation)  It was "locally owned" but to be honest, in terms of sports, they were kind of just like a 'small mom & pop operation' competing against a 'big box store'.

[Curmudgeon]

9 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

She also was heavily involved in helping Larionov & Krutov's wives when they came over.  Remember that we weren't a 'big budget team' back then (in terms of spending money) & couldn't just hire a full-time people to handle that sort of stuff (my speculation)  It was "locally owned" but to be honest, in terms of sports, they were kind of just like a 'small mom & pop operation' competing against a 'big box store'.

I recall that when the Larionovs got here, Jennifer took Mrs. L. food shopping. Having come from Moscow, where store shelves were often bare or had limited quantities, Mrs. L. frantically began filling up her cart with piles of meat and other food. Jennifer had to assure her that the shelves and bins would all be stocked again tomorrow and that there was never a shortage.

[GB5]

Sad news, very sorry to hear. My heart goes out to the Smyl family.

 

I hope he Canucks honor Jennifer who even though was not employed by the Canucks, was very involved in the team and Canuck Place. A helmet sticker or something of the like with her initials seems appropriate.