Jan Smith

Jacqueline Ann Smith, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 with family gathered around at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and gentle care of the staff at Woodland Terrace, and the special care provided by Hospice at Home.

She was born on January 6, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri to Othello Judson and Lois (Brace) Norris. She was graduated from West Lafayette (Indiana) High School, and continued her education at the former Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio and at Indiana University Bloomington. She has lived in Niles since 1952, and was employed in the office of the late John Bruni, M.D., and at the former women’s dress shop, The Peacock, both in Niles.

Jan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, and volunteered at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve. She played in the tennis leagues at the Niles Racquet Club, played in several area bridge clubs, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094 in Niles and the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322. She had enjoyed traveling both throughout the United States and internationally.

She was first married to Richard B. Malone. On July 12, 1969 she married Ralph C. “Mike” Smith who preceded her in death on January 2, 1980.

Surviving family includes her children, the Rev. Michael (& Barbara) Malone of Memphis, Tennessee, and Kathleen Ann Malone of Niles; grandchildren Kathryn (& Brent) Webster, Leslie (& Brandt) Sykes, and Annie (& Dylan) Terney and five great-grandchildren; and Ralph’s children, Shelley (& Bob) Smith Julius of Perrysburg, Ohio, Victoria Smith of Boston, Massachusetts, Peter W. (& Susan) Smith of Niles, and Jan Smith of Niles; and grandchildren, Alex, Christopher, Kristen, Laurie, Tara, and Gretchen.

Services for Jan Smith will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating. Contributions in memory of Jan may be made to Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, Michigan 49120. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.