Nell Peggy Cline Smith passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, October 6th, in the Nanton area (AB) in a single vehicle motor accident. Nell, born July 17th, 2007 in Leeds, England was 17 at the time of her death.

Survived by her parents, Rachel Cline, and Jude Smith; brothers, Jed, age 19, and Ike, age 13; maternal grandparents, Nina, and Donald Cline; paternal grandparents, Wendy Patch and Alastair Smith; aunts, Hannah Bains, and Amy Smith; nephews and nieces, Finn, Zak, Jasmine, and Gus. She will be missed by many other relatives and friends.

Nell was predeceased by her one true love, Colin the Cat, in November 2023 and we know that he is purring with delight to be in her arms once again.

Nell had packed so much into her short 17 years. As a child she was always very confident and a little too bold, quirky in the best of ways, with her choice of clothing and interests. Moving to Canada at age 5 gave her the opportunity to learn to ski and take part in many outdoor activities.  She was the type of girl that would try anything. She decided to do a triathlon at about age 7 and won it, going on to podium in a few larger competitions, but then decided that wasn't for her. Nell then joined the local Roller Derby team and looked so small but was never intimidated. She was so wiry and small, but powerful. She followed her brother's passion for skiing and joined the local freestyle club and competed, placing in big mountain competitions around the Kootenays.

Then Nell picked up a guitar and taught herself, writing her own songs, from about the age of 12. Her passion, sparkling persona and outgoing nature was noticed by Wayne Coyne, who catapulted her into the world through working together in 2020. At 14 she was touring the world and performing in front of thousands of people, but Nell has so much more than the music. 

Nell graduated a year early this Spring and traveled to the UK for 6 weeks to see all her friends and relatives, for which we are so so grateful. She had just moved to Nelson to start college and had quickly made friends in her class, which has been demonstrated by the outpouring of love for her. She touched people we know and many people we don't, the outpouring of grief and support has come from all corners of the world. Nell was a fierce friend, an amazing gift giver, challenging teenager (as they should be) and a young woman with so much potential ahead of her that has so tragically been cut short. Wow, what she managed to do in such a fast burning/high speed life!

There is a private visitation with Nell on Friday, October 11th at 6pm. A private family service will be held Saturday, October 12th at 10:30am. A public celebration of life will be held at The Fernie Golf Club, Wednesday, October 23rd with the time to be announced soon.

We thank everyone in the community who has reached out, shared treasured memories of Nell and wrapped us in the amazing love of the Fernie Community.

We kindly ask you not to send flowers. In lieu of this we are starting to formulate a plan to establish a foundation to honour her name, details will be forthcoming.

Condolences can be shared at the Cherished Memories website or at the Celebration of life.