Shawna Rose Smith

In Loving Memory of Shawna Smith

On June 3rd, 2025, our baby girl, our beautiful daughter, Shawna, died from a suspected overdose. Unfortunately, it can take months to receive a toxicology report from the coroner. Alcohol, cocaine, and opioids in her last months ruled her life. She was 25 years old.

No one plans to be an addict. Sadly, there are many within Shawna’s circle of influence, those who claimed to love her, who looked upon her with moral indignation. This ignorance diminishes who Shawna was. Shawna was deeply loved. She also loved deeply. She was fiercely loyal and had a great disdain for the injustices that beset people in the broken and fallen world. The abundance of promise she held within was snuffed out; the light she carried when her head was clear, her eyes sparkling with life, extinguished. She died alone in her apartment, waiting silently for her Dad to find her. Our Shawna Rose was so beautiful, and in the words of her sister, Shawna’s smile lit up the room, and then her thunderous laugh captivated it. She was feisty, often outspoken. She had a wit and a sense of humor that has left countless of us with the memory of how funny she was.

It had been a 10-year struggle, starting in the halls of an average public high school. Shawna struggled honestly and with courage in her last 5 years. Many loved ones stepped up and fought alongside her for her very life. They understood that a reductive understanding and labelling of ‘addiction’ as a disease does not allow for the kind of love and commitment required in the life of an addict. We are forever grateful to those who fought for Shawna, who invested in our baby girl, made in the image of God; immeasurable in her worth. The day Shawna died, a part of us died along with her. We will miss her every day for the rest of our lives. The pain of her death is heartbreaking and overwhelming at times. The number of people who share the pain of losing their loved one to addiction daily is staggering, and whose gathered tears would rival all the oceans of Earth.

Shawna will be greatly missed by Teresa (Mom), Glenn (Dad), Nicole (sister), her uncles, grandparents, cousins, and the friends she loved so dearly. A small, intimate gathering of close friends and family will be planned.

Step out of moral indignation. Put aside your personal & selfish need for comfort. Fight for your loved ones. Give all of yourself to it. Work at understanding the fallen nature of this world (Genesis 1-5), the resultant faulty biological systems (medical assistance), and help them know (and believe) the required changes in thought and action; to apply themselves with moral and spiritual discipline.

The fear of the Lord (awe-inspired reverence & humility) is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10)

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

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Shawna spent over 18 months at a rehab in Windsor. Whatever your opinion is about rehab and how they may approach addiction. Windsor Life Centre is run by women who give their all in the battle for other women’s lives. You would honor us and our beautiful Shawna Rose by donating in her memory.

Windsor Life Center

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