Elizabeth J Smith July 07, 1934 – January 03, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Elizabeth Julia Smith, 84, died peacefully at her home in Interlaken, NJ, on January 3, 2019, surrounded by her devoted family. Beloved wife of James P. Smith, Jr., MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Liz leaves three loving children, Susan Smith Mitchell (Douglas), James P. Smith III (Kathleen) and Patricia Smith Barrett (Daniel), and grandchildren Sarah, Morgan, James P., IV (“Jack”), Charles, Matthew, Clare, Owen, Patrick, Georgia and Hugh. Born July 7, 1934, in Edina, Minnesota, Liz — known as “Bucky” in her youth — was the daughter of two doctors, Lillian and Leo Fink.
A graduate of the Academy of Holy Angels with dual degrees from the University of Minnesota, she became an elementary school teacher specializing in reading. While always a Minnesotan at heart, her love of travel and adventure took her first to Denver, thence to San Francisco, and finally to Pirmasens, Germany, where she volunteered at the American School, teaching the children of U.S. Army personnel stationed there following the construction of the Berlin Wall (aka the “Berlin Crisis”). There, she met another doctor, then-Captain James P. Smith.
Following a European courtship, the couple were engaged in St. Moritz. They wed in Minnesota in 1964 and moved to Manhattan, where Liz continued teaching and Jim completed his medical training. They eventually moved their family to Englewood, NJ, and upon Jim’s (semi-) retirement, relocated to their home on the Jersey Shore.
Variously described as beautiful, smart, charismatic, fun-loving, “snappy” and the “keeper of a brilliant wit,” Liz was above all kind, extraordinarily empathetic and fun-loving. Ever understated and completely without affectation, she made close, life-long friends but could talk, in the same plainspoken manner, to anyone from kings and presidents (literally) to toddlers in the grocery store. Often self-deprecating, she once quipped that, as the stock tracker for her investment club, she knew exactly how the stocks were performing, but had no idea what to do about it.
A lifelong teacher, Liz became in later life a professional grandmother, playing, singing, reading, painting, cooking, and most importantly, laughing and loving, with each of her 10 grandchildren in his or her own special way. Liz is survived by her sister Marian Cracraft (Jack) and brother William Finch and was predeceased by her sister, Virginia Munro, and daughter, Stephanie. She will be dearly missed and joyfully remembered by all.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Marys Church of Our Lady of Hope Parish Deal NJ on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow in St. Catharines Cemetery, Sea Girt. Donations in her name may be made to Interfaith Neighbors 810 Fourth Ave Asbury Park, NJ. 07712.
SERVICES Visitation Sunday, January 06, 2019 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Buckley Funeral Home 509 2nd Ave Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712 Get Directions on Google Maps Mass of Christian Burial Monday, January 07, 2019 10:30 AM St. Mary’s Church 46 Richmond Ave.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
