Obituary: Jeanne K. Smith

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Jeanne K. Smith

Port Townsend, Wash.

Aug. 13, 1919 – Dec. 7, 2016

Jeanne Charlotte (Knudsen) Smith passed away peacefully in Port Townsend, Wash. on Dec. 7, 2016. She was born in Seattle on Aug. 13, 1919, the youngest of three children born to Mildred Wood Knudsen. Her father, Knud Christian Knudsen, left the family shortly before she was born, and Mildred moved her family to Colorado to be closer to the extended family.

Jeanne grew up attending church at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, where choir director David Pew and rector Paul Roberts became strong father figures, giving her heart a lifelong joyous assurance of her heavenly Father’s constant presence. Jeanne grew to love the Rocky Mountains, and in her day, she was an accomplished skier, ice skater, and horsewoman. From her mother, Jeanne learned the values of gentle kindness, generosity, hard work, and gratitude expressed in service to others.

During the years of World War II Jeanne volunteered in the servicemen’s canteen operated by the cathedral, and that was where she met Philip Smith. They were married in the chapel at St. John’s, and the marriage lasted for nearly 60 years. Jeanne and Phil raised two sons and two daughters, often serving as troop leaders for the children’s Scout and Camp Fire groups. Phil’s work moved the family from Colorado to New Mexico, California, Utah, and Oklahoma. After their youngest graduated high school, Jeanne and Phil retired to California. They were living in Eureka when Phil suffered a major stroke and, when he was well enough, they moved to Pt. Townsend to be near two of their children.

Jeanne often expressed smiling amazement at the circle of life that brought her back to the area of Puget Sound. Friends and family remember Jeanne’s lilting soprano in church and around the house. They also treasure memories of her gracious manner, her love of gardening, her beautiful needlework, her sly wit, her love of Bridge strategies, her trophy-winning pool shots and dangerous poker skills.

 Jeanne is preceded in death by her mother, brother Jack, sister Jo, and husband Phil. She lives in beloved memory in her children Al (Corinne) Smith of Nordland, Wash.; Patricia Smith of Greeley, Colo.; David (Kristine) Smith of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Deborah (Jerry) Stinson of Port Townsend; and in grandchildren Debbie, Paul, Joel, and Noah, and five great-grandchildren.

Jeanne’s memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran in Port Townsend at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29. In lieu of flowers, donations to Jefferson Healthcare Hospice or ECCHO will be greatly appreciated.