Jean Smith
Jean Smith was born October 5, 1931 in Eddystone, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Isabel Morrissey. In 1949 she attended a holiday party and met the love of her life, Joseph Smith, who charmed her despite spending the evening dunking cookies in his beer. They were married on December 23, 1950 and lived an adventurous loving life together for 67 years, settling in San Diego and then Florida for their final years, and Arizona for her last three years.
As the wife of a career Marine, she learned to adapt easily to new homes and cities on a steady basis while also raising 5 children. Her home was always open and welcoming. She never knew a stranger, and “adopted” anyone who passed through her door. Her children’s friends were drawn to her home for the wonderful meals she created and the warmth her home provided. Her corned beef and cabbage, homemade chicken and dumplings, and shoofly pie are legendary.
Jean was a staunch lover of education and pursued her dream of attending college later in life, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education in her 50’s and her master’s degree in special education soon after. She was a passionate lover of animals. Many years her homes were filled with children, as well as a menagerie of dogs, cats, fish, birds, and hamsters — she most definitely made Saint Francis proud.
She loved the arts and encouraged her children to embrace music, art, dance and theater. A visit to the symphony or a musical production always brought her great joy.
After retiring, she and Joe spent their time visiting family and friends all around the country. She loved to brag about her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and children to everyone she met. She was a talented quilter, and loved creating personal quilts for her family members. Ever the most glamorous woman in the room, she was also a skilled shopper; always impeccably dressed, elegantly put together, and a true fashionista to the end.
Jean is survived by her children Kathleen (Robert) Nuzum and their children, Jennifer, Jacqueline and Ryan, Linda (Al) Ramos and her daughter’s Amy and Sara, Stephen (Barbara) Smith and their children Rebecca and Benjamin, Patricia (Matthew) Johnson and their daughters Audrey and Rachel as well as eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph, her granddaughter Katie, her daughter-in-law Barb and her siblings Robert, Ann and Michel.
Jean, our beloved mother, Nana, and friend, died of Covid December 1, 2021surrounded by her loving children only one week after being diagnosed. Interment will follow in the spring at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.