Jean M. Smith

Jean M. Smith of West Hartford, beloved wife of the late Kendall Smith, died on June 20th at John Dempsey Hospital. She was a professional actress and director. Born in Utica, NY to the late Herbert F. and Marie M. Slade, she began performing on WIBX radio at the age of 11. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Utica Free Academy. Jean was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Syracuse University, taught at Endicott Junior College in Beverly, MA and worked at WJTN in Jamestown, NY before joining WHEN- TV in Syracuse as the first woman telecaster in the area. She also directed and produced the station’s programs for children. It was at WHEN where she met her beloved future husband Kendall, who predeceased her in 1999. In 1958, they moved to West Hartford where she performed with many theater groups including The Mark Twain Masquers, The Producing Guild, The Hartford Stage Company and Company One. Mrs. Smith assisted for many years as director of drama for the Conard High School musicals. Jean wrote and performed many one- woman shows (assisted by Gary Waite) and was active in performing on video and audiotapes. Her memberships in the St. Joseph’s Mothers Circle, Alpha Xi Delta, St. Helena’s Women’s Guild and her book and movie clubs brought her friendship and joy. Jean leaves her six beloved children: Mark and his wife Bari of Marlton, NJ, Joel and his wife Liz of West Hartford, Joanne D’Eugenio of Fairfax, VA, Gregory of Westborough, MA, Brian Smith and Belkis Fernandez of Paris, FR, and Paul and his wife Erin of Brooklyn, NY; eight grandchildren: Justin Smith and his wife Dani of Brooklyn, NY, Matthew Smith and Nicole Smith of Chaplin, Katie Ginn and her husband Ben of Wichita, KA, Annemarie Smith and her fiancé Joey Saponaro of Glastonbury, Brendan Smith of West Hartford, William D’Eugenio of Silver Springs, MD, Emily D’Eugenio of Fairfax, VA; her great granddaughter Ellie Ginn of Wichita, her special friend Dottie Matsikas and many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Herbert Slade and his wife Vi of Camillus, NY; her brother Robert Slade, her sister-in-law Joan Slade and her sister Mary Gertrude Slade, all of Syracuse, and her daughter-in-law Debra Smith of Columbia, CT. Jean’s family is very thankful to her dedicated caregiver, Patricia Cokes, to Cynthia Ebanks and the wonderful staff from New England Nightingales, to all the caring angels at The McAuley, and to the doctors and nurses at UCONN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford on Tuesday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, June 24th from 4 to 7 pm at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be sent to St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Jean M. Smith

June 20, 2019