Yvonne “Cocoa” Smyth

Yvonne “Cocoa” Smyth passed peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, on May 28, 2026.

Cocoa was born and raised for most of childhood in Zambia, Africa. She loved to regale children with stories of elephants, gorillas, lions, and spiders. She moved to Canada with her family in 1964 but never lost that bit of a Rhodesian accent.

She was a strong-willed woman, full of life, with a great sense of humour, strong determination, love of travel, and a great storyteller. In her youth, she was a Saskatchewan Roughriders cheerleader, going on to a career in commercial leasing. She left the corporate world to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions as a small business entrepreneur, starting several businesses.

In 1972, Cocoa wed Allan Rauw in Toronto during his tenure with Arthur Anderson, eventually moving to Calgary to establish their roots and celebrate the arrival of their beloved daughter, Brenna, in their very first family residence.

Cocoa enjoyed travel but feared flying. She once took at train from Calgary to Miami.to take a cruise vacation, traveling a week each way. She traveled 18,000 km from Calgary to Tahiti without flying a mile. Being a determined woman, and loving mother, Cocoa conquered her fear of flying to attend Brenna’s undergraduate and master’s graduations in Boston decades later.

She loved animals, especially her two Shih Tzus, Lady and Zulu, and her last companion, a rescue dog, Misty, who was a great comfort to her in her last years.. Her dogs were spoiled, with frequent walks, treats and pampering. Lady was known for getting out and taking tours of the

neighborhood, Zulu for a lot of attitudes in a small package, and Misty her close and constant, comforting companion, in her last years.

Cocoa also had a passion for cooking and gathering together with family and friends where she was always the first to offer help, and the one who children were drawn to, to hear her latest escapades.

Aunty Cocoa will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews, and their children, who she always made time for, and always had such funny stories to share, and special “treats“ to give them. They will miss her independent, funny, kind and stubborn soul.

Yvonne is survived by her loving daughter, Brenna Rauw, sisters Louisa Comber, Peggy Bell, Kathryn Turnbull, and her brother Les Smyth, and all her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and her dear friends, especially the ladies in Prestwick Acres.

Yvonne’s family would like to express their deep appreciation to the entire staff at Millrise Senior’s Village, Calgary for the kindness, compassion and dignity with which they cared for Yvonne, in her last years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calgary Humane Society.

A celebration of life will be held at Peggy and Rick’s house, June 20th, 4-7pm.  If further details are needed, contact peggydbell@gmail.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Yvonne “Cocoa” Smyth, please visit our Tree Store.