Patricia A. Smith (nee’ Geer), 82, passed away peacefully at Beacon Hill Assisted Living after a years-long struggle with dementia. Patricia was predeceased by her husband, Edward M. “Ned” Smith in 2017, and by her son, Edward M. “Ned” Smith Jr., just weeks ago. Also predeceasing her were her parents, Cecil and Charlotte Geer; and her brother, Bob Geer. Surviving are her children, Tim Smith (Cyndi), Kathy Smith Kennedy (Brady), Matt Smith (Sue); former daughter-in-law, Kim Smith; grandchildren, Morgan and Taylor Smith, Kennedy Smith, Meggie and Owen Kennedy, Delaney and Dane Smith; sisters, Carol Geer and Laurie Michalski (Mark); good friend, Annie Sullivan; and many other family members and friends.
Pat and Ned Smith shared a wonderful life together for 57 years, provided an excellent example on how to love each other unconditionally and make marriage work. They brought their children up stressing the importance of equality of race and of gender and worked toward that goal during their working lives and beyond. Pat graduated from Creston High School and began to study at Aquinas College, until she met the love of her life, Ned, who played her father in a college play. After raising her children through elementary school, she went back to Aquinas to finish her bachelor’s degree, and eventually obtain her master’s degree in management. She worked as the Director of Career Development at Aquinas for many years and finished her career with Grand Valley University’s Career Development office. She was a faithful Catholic, a strong Democrat (one of her more-recent great moments was when Barack Obama became President), and an artist, whose beautiful works remain with us. The family would like to thank the Beacon Hill Memory Care staff and Faith Hospice staff for helping us through the last several months and giving Pat such loving care. A visitation will be held from 3-5 PM on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, followed by a prayer service at 5PM. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In honor of Patricia Smith, memorial contributions can be made to The League of Women Voters of Michigan, https://lwvmi.org.
One Response
what a wonderful obituary of my cousin! I still remember when I was very young that she was in charge of our family Christmas plays with all of the cousins. Great family celebrations at Grandma Geer’s home!! Great times at the cottage, too! Great memories!