Myrtle Mae Smith

Myrtle Maesmith (nee Patten) of Jamesville, NY died on April 29, 2019 at the age of 81. Myrtle was born in Alexandria, St. Ann, Jamaica W.I. to Clifford and Muriel Patten (nee Wright) on April 5, 1938. She was educated at Charlton Primary School, Ardenne High School and trained as a nurse and subsequently as a midwife at the University Hospital of the West Indies St. Andrews Mona Campus. She worked at University College, Morant Bay, Alexandria, University College and Children’s Hospitals in Jamaica, W.I. She married her husband Roy A. Smith while in Morant Bay. She had her first daughter Andrea (Ann) and emigrated to Brooklyn, NY where she managed the private medical surgical unit and then the blood donor and plasmapharesis units at Brookdale Hospital. She had her second daughter, Tracy and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Administration at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY while her husband attended Brooklyn College and then George Washington University Medical School in Washington D.C. The family then relocated to Syracuse, NY where she worked at the Syracuse Developmental Center and then beside her husband in his private practice in Chittenango, NY until she retired. Myrtle was family oriented and a great encourager who loved everyone. She was dedicated to God and involved in her church. She was a voracious reader who was the first to obtain books as soon as they were published. She followed and celebrated her loved ones’ progress in life and traveled to various islands, Europe and Canada. She loved life, lived to laugh and had an interest in global politics. She was an avid gardener who loved nature. She never had a negative thought or ill will against anyone. She was an accomplished pianist and organist who loved to sing, enjoyed music and filled her home and her car with it all year round. Myrtle was instrumental in starting the church library at Clarendon Road Alliance Church in Brooklyn, NY and with her husband led home church cell groups. She continued her commitments while at Syracuse Alliance church and served as a host parent for international students attending Syracuse University. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Roy A. Smith, MD, children Andrea Smith of Annandale, VA, and Tracy S. Reid (Kenneth) of Syracuse, NY, grandchildren Eddison K. Reid, Angela Patten Vie (Josh) of Nashville, TN and Maria D. Reid, siblings Joyce Patten (UK), Ethel (Gladstone) Samuels (Jamaica, WI), Frances Williams (NY), George (Maffalda) Patten (Canada), Herbert (Angella) Patten (NY) and many extended family members. She was predeceased by brother Winston (Millicent) Patten (Canada). Family and friends may call at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10th at Syracuse Alliance Church 3112 Midland Avenue Syracuse, NY 13205 with a service to follow at 11 a.m. She will then be laid to rest at the Onondaga Valley Cemetery 2500 Valley Drive, Syracuse, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Syracuse Alliance Church Benevolent Fund.