Joan Geraldine Smith

NEW CASTLE - Joan G. Smith, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 21, 2023, during the 3rd week of advent.

Joan was born in 1935 in Wilmington, Delaware. A gift from God to her parents, William and Carrie Hopkins she was the oldest of six children. As a young child she was independent, and enjoyed playing outdoors with her brother on the family farm, Maple Lawn Dairy (Hares Corner) which nurtured her love of nature and exploring. At an early age she hopped on her first bike and continued biking into her eighties. She made many lifelong friends biking with her South Bethany crew, and the New Castle Bike Rangers. The Bike MS: Bike to the Bay was an annual event for Mom.

Joan graduated from William Penn High School. She was a homemaker, a substitute teacher, and retired from Christiana Care’s library, after many years of service. In addition to her employment with Christiana Care, Joan dedicated her life to serving her community as an Election Officer (“exercise your right to vote”), moderator of Gam-Anon meetings and hotline coverage, and a docent for the New Castle Historical Society, She was a lifelong member of the New Castle Presbyterian Church, and was incredibly active as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, communion bread baker, Bell Choir member, and with many of the feeding ministries, including delivering Meals on Wheels into her eighties! She taught us to love Jesus, to love each other, to treat each other kindly, and to forgive others.

Joan raised her family in St. Georges. Her children and grandchildren will always remember the Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations that she and Pop-Pop made so special, as well the wonderful weekends at the beach house.

In addition to biking and outdoor activities, Joan loved books. She always had a book or two by her side, and a list of new reading material. She enjoyed many Osher Lifelong Learning Institute courses at the University of Delaware in Wilmington. She taught her family, by example, to feed their body, mind and souls by living with intention, gardening, education, art, community service, church, nature, and travel. She had an infectious smile and a kind word for all.

She is survived by her children, Brenda Walters, Carrie ( Jamie), Wendy Smith-Kerr ( John), and Andrew; grandchildren, Julia, Brendan, Danny, Phillip, Breanna, Eric, Kelly, Zane, Esme, Johnny, Adam and Emily; and great-grandsons, Henry and Forest. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Florence and Sonia and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, with whom she shared many adventures, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Joan has joined her parents, ancestors and other family members, especially Charles and Chuck Smith and Bill Walters in heaven.

We would like to thank the staff at Kentmere Nursing home for Joan’s gentle care. Joan was grateful for the many cards, letters, and visits she received from family and friends. She was especially grateful for her “room with a view.”

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the Meeting House of the New Castle Presbyterian Church 25 East Second Street, New Castle, DE where a memorial service to celebrate Joan’s life will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will be held privately. The service will also be live streamed and can be accessed on the church website at www.newcastlepreschurch.org. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Castle Presbyterian Church at the address above. To leave online condolences, visit: spicermullikin.com SPICER-MULLIKIN FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

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