Compiled by Wanda Garrett, 2026
Leona Smith was born in Black Brook (North West Brook) on 23 August 1937, daughter of William Henry Thomas Smith (1891-1987) and Sarah Sabrina Baker (1902-1982).
In 1957, while working in St. John’s as a typist at F.M. Oleary’s, Leona was a participant in the first Miss Newfoundland pageant. According to the Daily News, May 31, 1957 – Leona Smith of North West Brook, who is taking a commercial course gave a recitation of Kipling’s “If”
Leona went on to become a trained nurse. She studied at the Grace Hospital in St. John’s and the Scarborough General Hospital in Toronto. She worked as a Doctor’s receptionist and later married the man for whom she worked, Dr. Claude Louis Godfrey Hale, who had a general practice to Toronto.
The July 6, 1970, issue of the Daily News had a great article about Leona:
Life as a fashion model in Toronto suits this Newfoundland gal to a ‘T’
BY SHEILA GUSHUE
“I never thought to 1957 when I entered the Miss Newfoundland contest that I would later be working as a fashion model in Toronto earning 335 an hour,” said Leona Hale to an interview last week at the Daily News office.
Mrs. Hale the former Lona Smith of North West Brook, Trinity Bay was working as a typist at F.M. Oleary’s to St. John’s to 1957. Her coworkers convinced her to enter the contest” I was hesitant about it,” smiled Leona. “I had been very skinny as a child, then became a what I thought was a plump teenager, so I really had to be convinced by friends to enter.”
Leona didn’t win the contest but it did give her a start on a career which she has found to be fascinating and rewarding, despite a lot of very hard work. In the years between then and now Leona also became a trained nurse, studying at the Grace Hospital in St. John’s and the Scarborough General Hospital in Toronto. She worked as a Doctor’s receptionist and later married the man for whom she worked, Dr. C. Hale, who has a general practice to Toronto.
While she was living to Toronto, Leona took a modelling course from the Patricia Stevens School of Modelling. This has enabled her to do all types of modelling, the Fashion shows for large firms like Simpson’s, and Eaton’s, TV commercials, and photography.
Leona’s training as a nurse has given her an edge on other models when a medical type is needed. As a matter of fact she recently made a feature length movie “Change of Mind” to which she played the part of the nurse. She also appears to another movie – an educational documentary “Youth and Society” made by Moreland and Latchford to which Leona plays a soft faced policewoman.
The Hales five in an English Tudor home near Davisville and Yonge in Toronto. Leona is busy seeing to the renovation of the fifteen room home. “We have the first floor just about finished. The photo at right which was used as a fashion picture was taken to the dining room of our home. My husband acted as the male model for this one” said the blue eyed blonde.
Leona’s husband accompanied her to Newfoundland to a family wedding. They visited her parents in North West Brook, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, her two brothers there, and two sisters in St. John’s Mrs. Wm Baldwin of Mount Pearl and Mrs. Frank Whalen of St. John’s. One brother lives in Toronto and the four nieces, nephews there used to be quite excited when they saw Aunt Leona on TV (she currently has three commercials running to the Toronto area). However they’ve become more blase about it now.
The Hales are now in Bristol, England visiting Dr. Hale’s relatives. They will stay to Europe for about a month visiting London and Paris.
In the Fall Lona expects to be busy again with Winter fashion shows. ‘‘Often I’m out in the garden doing a bit of weeding or such when a call comes through for an audition. So its off with the relax-at-home clothes and into a mini. Usually at an audition to Toronto there will be 50 to 60 models – all beautiful – waiting for that one job. So when you get the job you just have to feel very very lucky!” said Leona.
“A models life can be really hard. Often one commercial may take eight hours of shooting, and the model must remain as calm cool and collected as during the first hour of shooting. This takes practice, and paience”, she said.
On fashions for Fall Leona predicted that women will be wearing a mixture of the mini the midi and the maxi. “Every woman should have at least one maxi in her wardrobe – that is if she is tall and slim! On short women they look terrible.” Leona who is 5 feet 7 feels at ease in any length but favors full skirted hostess gowns for at home wear in the evening. “I don’t think there is anything more feminine or comfortable,” she said.
If feminity is what she is “in” then Leona Hale has it, in abundance.
Dr. Hale’s obituary was printed in The Globe and Mail (January 23, 1992)
Dr. Claude Louis Godfrey – of Clifton College, Bristol and Cambridge Universities. Peacefully at home, on January 21, 1992, in his 66th year, loving husband of Leona, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and patients. His love for music, magic and flying was an inspiration to all who knew him. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 24, 1992 at 12 o’clock noon at St. Clements Church, Briarhill and Duplex Avenue. Donations in memory of Dr. Hale may be made to the Toronto Hospital Hematology/Oncology (Lymphoma) Research Account, c/o Dr. W. H. Francombe, the Toronto Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, M5G 2C4, M/L1-050
Leona’s married her second husband, Alan Morry Noel, in 1997. Alan died on June 24, 2015. His obituary was printed in the Toronto Star (June 27, 2015)
Peacefully, on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the Arthur & Isabel Meighan Nursing Home in Toronto, in his 86th year after a courageous struggle with multiple health issues. Alan leaves behind his beloved wife Leona (Hale), three sons (and daughters-in-law) Jim (Sarah), Ross (Lisa) & Carl (Natasha), and was predeceased by brother Gordon, and sisters Kay, Norma & Peggy. He will be fondly remembered by his nine grandchildren James, Sean, Richard, Peggy, Jacqui, Jason, Rebecca, Logan & Natalie as their loving Grandpa. Big “Al” enjoyed life and never complained. He had a lifelong passion for baseball and golf that he loved to share with family and friends. A family man and a gentleman first and foremost, Alan enjoyed a long and distinguished career with Economical Mutual, where he retired as head of the Toronto Branch with 43 years of service and cherished friendships. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to the care workers at Better Living and especially caregivers Karthie & Davie. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Memorial Service to be held Thursday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m. in ST. CLEMENT’S CHURCH, 70 St. Clement’s Avenue. If desired, donations may be made in Alan’s memory to the Better Living Charitable Foundation, St. Clements Church, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the charity of your choice. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.
Leona ‘s obituary was also printed in the Globe and Mail (October 17, 2022)
Leona passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Young at heart and with an abundance of energy, Leona lived a full and active life golfing and playing tennis well into her 80s. Leona had a keen eye for decorating and a knack for creating beautiful floral arrangements. She had an active social life and will be dearly missed by her many friends, especially those at Concorde Place. A retired nurse, Leona was actively involved in her church community in her later years. Widowed twice: Dr. Claude Hale and Alan Noel; Leona was a proud step-mother to Jim (Sarah), Ross (Lisa), and Carl (Natasha); loving grandmother to her 11 grandchildren, James, Margaret, Sean, Richard, Jacquelyn, Jason, Rebecca, Logan, Natalie, Rebecca, Aidan; and great-grandson Hayden. Born in North West Brook, Newfoundland, and from a large family, Leona was predeceased by sister, Mildred Whalen; brothers, Philip, Jacob; and survived by her older sister, Clara Baldwin; her younger brother, Eugene (Ruby); and many nieces and nephews. Leona will be forever missed by all those that knew her. Memorial Service to be held Thursday, October 27, at 12:00 p.m. in St. Clement’s Church, 70 St. Clement’s Avenue, with a reception to follow.
