Megan Coddington Smith
Megan Coddington Smith, a loving mother, avid gardener, community activist and doer, passed away on December 8, 2022. Megan passed peacefully with her family at her side.
Megan was a strong and capable superwoman. In the 1960s she and her first husband, Tom Coddington, relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area to Lake County to raise their family in a sweet old farmhouse and large piece of land. They were married for 27 years and raised five amazing and independent children. She and her husband were clear that they wanted to raise their kids with a pioneering and adventurous back to the land spirit. Her home was filled with books, art, musical instruments and tools of all kinds. As parents of five they felt it extremely important to teach compassionate and open mindedness, love and acceptance.
When the youngest was in school Megan took on a job at Lakeport Public Library where her children would meet up after school. Later she was hired as Administrative Assistant at the new Lakeside Community Hospital.
Megan strove for equality in life and education. With four daughters and a son she decided to run for and became the first women school board member where she made positive changes in the school setting. Megan also patiently and lovingly cared for her mother, Ida for many years after she suffered a severe stroke.
Megan was highly successful at managing many tasks at once. Megan worked, raised five kids, cared for her mother, maintained a beautiful home and working farm.
Twenty-five years ago, Megan relocated to the Mendocino Coast after her divorce. She continued to be an active member in the community. She created an artistic home and a productive garden full of food and flowers. She took on the job as Kelly House director for over eight years and was a board member until 2022. She was also a huge fan g and member of the Botanical Gardens and enthusiastically brought in friends and family. She loved to paint, cook, sew, refinish furniture and read.
Later Megan remarried. She and her new husband, Rex, shared an interest of local history and travel. Together they visited Europe, the Islands, Alaska and South America. Rex and Megan separated 2020 and still she continued to be independent and full of ideas for improving her home and garden design. She paid special attention to making each detail of her home and garden calm, peaceful and beautiful.
Megan shared her passion for gardening, art, and cooking with everyone, neighbors, friends and family. The year-round blossoms in her garden are a testament to her colorful and tasteful ways. She was never afraid to take on a complicated project such as completely refinishing a piano herself (at age 74), reupholstering her antique couch or laying a new tile floor for her kitchen.
Megan has four daughters, Michel, Andrea, Kristin, Rebecca and a son, Jeremy. She has twelve grandchildren and even a few great grandchildren.
Wherever she may be, we know for sure that she is going for it to the maximum potential possible with the attitude of “I can do anything”. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.