LILA F. SMITH

Lila Faber Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away on February 20, 2023 at the age of 81 in Lodi. Lila was born in Carmel, California to Lt. Col. James Francis and Ruth (McCoy) Faber on April 16, 1941 when her father was stationed at Fort Ord in the U.S. Army. Lila grew up in Lodi, graduated from Lodi High School in 1959, and graduated from University of the Pacific in Stockton with her Bachelors Degree, Education in 1963. While in college, Lila was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and fell in love with her husband, Donald R. Smith, who she married on June 16, 1963 in Morris Chapel on the campus of University of the Pacific. Lila and her husband built a beautiful life together in Lodi, where they raised two children. She worked as a teacher in the Lodi Unified School District for 23 years. Lila was a Charter member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter SH in Lodi beginning in 1963 where she held various offices including President, Vice President and Treasurer and was recognized as a “Golden Girl” for more than 50 years of membership. Lila enjoyed volunteering at her church of 60 years, St. Johns the Baptist Episcopal Church, playing the organ, singing in the choir, and assisting in the office, in addition to her work as a volunteer docent of the Haggin Museum in Stockton.

Lila is survived by her husband, Donald R. Smith, her son, Douglas Faber Smith, her daughter, Melinda Smith Perrier, two granddaughters, Katie Smith Perrier and Brooke Juliana Perrier and sisters, Elizabeth Faber Brusa, Julie (Bernie) Vigil, Gretchen (Dennis) Dobler, Tammie (Ken) Bauer, and brother, Bill (Lisa) Ulmer. Lila is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Julius Ulmer, and brother-in-law, Seldon Brusa.

Lila loved traveling with her family to Alaska, Greece, Tahoe, and many times to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Maui, Kauai, and Kona, Hawaii, where she found joy with her family stand up paddle boarding, parasailing, snorkeling, skiing, and an all-around love for exercise and outdoor adventure. She loved gardening, cooking, and being with her friends and family.

Memorials may be given to St. Johns the Baptist Episcopal Church at 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi, CA 95242. The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to friends and family who visited Lila to make her last days the best they could be. Her gracious, outgoing, warm, and loving nature will always be remembered, forever loved, and dearly missed.

A private memorial will be held for family.

Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.