02/11/2026
Diane "Bonnie" Campbell passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, NB.
Mom was born in Sydney, NS to Evelyn (Richmond) and Gerald N. Smith. Her “growing years” were spent in Antigonish, Halifax, Yarmouth, Wolfville and Amherst Shore, and she made many lifelong friends along the way. A graduate of Acadia (BA, B.Ed), she touched many lives over her 53 years in the Springhill area - teaching Primary, leading CGIT and later stepping up as Dad’s indomitable supply teacher! Throughout her life, Mom was deeply involved in community service and was named the area’s “National Volunteer of the Year” in 2018. She was an adherent of The United Church, and loved the friendship and outreach of that church, the UCW and the IODE. Mom had a remarkable network of friends brought together by mutual caring and respect, and we are eternally grateful to them all.
Mom had recently moved to Hartland, NB, to be with us, relishing time with her grandchildren, Brady and Landon, her beloved daughter-in-law, Jeanette and her son Chris. For the first time in many years she became a hockey grandmother again, cheering on her grandchildren as passionately as she had her son many years ago; she was their biggest fan. Seeing her family everyday was very special to her. She couldn’t have been more proud of, or loved anyone more, than she did Brady and Landon.
A special thank you to her daughter-in-law, Jeanette for the love and care given to mom . She cherished mom as if she was her own. From taking days off work to take her to appointments, to spending time playing games, making sure she always felt special or even taking a day with her in the hospital to ensure she came home from a lacklustre hospital stay recently; mom looked at her and responded with a very heartfelt and simple "I love you" and she truly did.
Her brother Eric and his wife Margaret also were incredibly good to mom prior to to her move to Hartland, helping her with many duties she wasn’t able to perform herself. They were so wonderful to her and she appreciated and loved them so much.
A heartfelt thank you to mom’s sister Jill and her husband Hazen as well. Jill was always there to lend a hand when mom needed it, spending time with her in times of health issues and cherished time at the cottage in Northport. There she also had incredible lifelong neighbours in her sister-in-law, Beth and brother-in-law Al. Also a huge thank-you to nephew Douglas for his help during times of need, as well as his boys, Kansas and Xavier.
Our cottage in Northport was our family’s happy place. Many wonderful memories made since 1980 and mom had intended to move back for the summer. The cottage will never feel quite the same not having her on the deck watching her grandchildren hitting golf balls and enjoying the beach. She will be missed by lifelong neighbours John and Barb Prentice, and more recent by incredibly special people and neighbours, Peter and Kelly Anctil.
Bonnie will be dearly missed by her son Chris and her daughter-in-law, Jeanette; grandchildren, Brady and Landon of Hartland, NB; brother Eric (Margaret) Smith of Moncton, NB; sister, Gillian 'Jill '(Hazen) Trueman of Kingsburg, NB; step-grandchildren, Kelsey Morton of Belleisle, NB and Michael Morton of St. Andrews, NB; step great grandchildren, Thunder, Wilder, Valkyrie; nieces and nephews, Douglas (Amanda) Hart of Oxford, NB, Harrison Smith of Halifax, NS, Cate (Leon) de Vreede of Bridgewater, NS, David (Meg) Trueman of Kentville, NS, Kansas and Xavier Heart of Oxford, NS, Dylan de Vreede of Bridgewater, NS and special friend, Judy Amos of Springhill, NS. She is also dearly missed by her kitty, Buddy, whom she loved very much.
Besides her parents, Evelyn and Gerald Smith, Bonnie was predeceased by her loving husband, William "Bill" Campbell who she adored and who adored her back. She was also predeceased by her in-laws, Douglas and Evelyn Campbell and nephew Timothy.
Special mention as well to the friends she met more recently in Hartland, who welcomed her and loved her in the short time she was here. She loved Kristy, Mike and Janet and each of our friends who visited and always found time for mom. I truly appreciate each of you for that.
Jeanette recently said it best….to know Bonnie was to love her. I was so lucky to have her as my mom.
Arrangements are under the care and supervision of A.H. Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, Ns (902-597-2361). A time of visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, February 15, 2026 from 1 pm until the time of the funeral service at 2:30 pm.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the A.H. Brown Funeral Home page.