Smith, Tracy Leeds

Tracy Leeds Smith of New Haven passed away January 28, 2023, at age 72, after battling the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s for many years. Tracy was born in Milford, Connecticut, the daughter of Patricia Clarke and Frederick Miller Smith. After the passing of her father, Tracy, her mother and three siblings moved to La Jolla, California in the early 1960s. A graduate of La Jolla High School, Tracy attended the University of Oregon, and graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1974. She worked for many years in early childhood services at UCSD before returning to Milford to pursue her Master of Social Work from at NYU. After graduating she worked as clinical Social Worker for the State of Connecticut at Bridgeport Mental Health, helping set up cutting-edge mental health programs in the city, until the effects of her disease required her early retirement.

Tracy was an adventurous person, growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s in California. She and her sister Sydney toured South America and experienced Carnival in Brazil after graduating college. Tracy will be remembered as someone who felt an obligation to help others, she had a wicked sense of humor and pleasant manner with anyone and everyone she met. Her laughter and kindness will be missed.

Tracy is survived by her husband H. W. (Bill) Chalsma, her stepchildren, sister, Sydney Smith husband Donald Griffin of Alexandria, Virginia, brothers Michael Smith wife Patricia of Annapolis, Maryland and Peter Smith wife Cathy of Milford, Connecticut; 11 nieces and nephews Caitlin and Hayley Smith, Emily Griffin, Adam, Richard, Michael, Jackson, Dylan, Hudson Smith, Frederick Griffin and numerous cousins, grandnieces.