Mary Jo Smith
Mary Jo Smith, 72, of Lake Almanor, Calif., died peacefully September 22, with her family at her side, after battling cancer for one year. She was born September 30, 1940, in Santa Ana, Calif., one of five children born to Margaret C. and Wayne R. Crowther.
Her husband of 50 years, Ted Smith, a Newtown native; daughters Debbie Carrasco and Diane DuBois, both of California; a brother-in-law, R. Scudder Smith, and his wife Helen, and a sister-in-law, Mary Starr "Skippy" Smith Adams, all of Newtown; and four grandchildren survive Mrs Smith.
She graduated from Santa Ana High School and the University of Southern California.
For the last 40 years, she and her husband lived at Lake Almanor, where she was an elementary school librarian. After retiring, she enjoyed quilting, hiking, gardening, and travel.
Mary Jo is remembered as a very kind and caring person. She donated her time and gift of quilting to many charitable causes.
A memorial service will take place in the spring.
Dear family of Mary Jo,
As coincidence would have it I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary Jo this last month. No particular reason. Memories of her just popped into my head. As a child I was her next door neighbor living in Santa Ana. She was an absolutely wonderful neighbor, so generous and kind. She always spoke the truth to me. I would not have gone to college if it were not for her encouragement. I lost tract of Mary Jo somewhere in my twenties but always thought of her and wanted to see her again. She and her husband settled in Almanor and I in San Francisco where I still live.
If there is a memorial after Covid is controlled, I hope that you will let me know. I would like to attend. Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Kindly,
Janet Calhoun (Mier)