Joan A. Smith, 77, passed away in the Lincoln Village Convalescent Center on Monday, December 10, 2012. She was born in Trenton, NJ on December 5, 1935, the daughter of the late Walter and Eleanore (nee: Eddy) Ryklicki.
Mrs. Smith lived in Russellville, KY and Zion, IL, before moving to Racine. While living in Zion she worked at the Golden Days Nursing Home for many years. Her family was a very important part of her life.
Surviving are her children, Dewayne (Margie) Asselin, of Russellville, KY, Bonnie (Tom) Chasse, of Mexico, ME, and Edith (Mark) Thornton, of Racine; step-children, Kenneth Smith, of Racine, and Doris (Russ) Allen, of Mount Holly, NJ; son-in-law Walter (Judy) Carl, of Gurnee, IL; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Kathleen (Jim) Lieblang, of Roebling, NJ, and Donna (Jeff) Schimpf, of Prospect, KY. Her nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 4 daughters, Dorothy Wojnarowski, Theresa Darjits, Grace Carl, and Kathleen Smith.
In keeping with her wishes, private services will be held.
Mike and Aimee Somers says
Grandma we miss you so much. But we know you are not in pain or suffering anymore. You’re our new guardian angel now and we love you so much!
Desire Brattis says
Rest in peace grandma, I love you more than you’ll ever know. I’ll be seeing you again one day. xoxo <3
Doris and Russ Allen says
Mom you will always be. You did not treat me like a step daughter. I only wish we had more time together. I will keep you in my heart forever. You will be truly missed. But we know you will be watching over your family as you always did. Rip Mom.
Kenneth B Smith says
Thirty Seven years ago, this lady opened her door, her family and her heart to me. At that time, I had just turned 15, and for me, it was a big change in my life. Up until then, I only knew of my father and the fact that he had remarried. Knowing only Doris, Carol, George and Sean; I had no idea of other siblings as well. I needed to know who my father was, and I made every effort to find him. Scared and alone, with only a backpack full of clothes and a few personal items, I set off on a mission. Hitching rides, to go halfway across the country; my face could have ended up on a milk carton. Thanks to a gentleman, who picked me up, not far from PA; a concerned person at that, he pulled into a police station round midnight or so and we managed to wake my mom (biological), in NJ. The gentleman assured her w/ her permission of course that he would in fact deliver me to my father’s doorstep.
Thus there I stood, an unexpected guest, asking to see my father. Although I mentioned him by name.
Mom thought I was the local paper boy, although, not there to collect but to complain of theft from the neighbors.
But when things were revealed, Mom’s heart( the biggest of all) was very welcoming.
Dad didn’t know what to think. As for the 5 children Dewayne, Dorothy, Edith, Theresa, and Gracie; it was not long before they accepted me as well.
Often times there are nightmare stories of a new addition to the family and people are ignored, mistreated, abused, blamed for everything gone wrong,……….well you get the idea. But there was much love from these new people in my life. Dad was a little tough though. Even years later, he still clung to that outer semi-hard shell of his.
Not long after my arrival, on a cold, cold day in January, Edith’s birthday in fact; a fire broke out in an apartment dwelling across from us. Skipping minor details though, the bottom line is that I made my parents proud of me that day. With no concern for my safety, I rushed over, kicked in the door and got the people inside out safely.
I stayed with them up until late summer of 76 and due to a stupid thing on my part, I was bussed back to NJ.
About a year later after much apologies, I returned there just as welcome as 2 years before.
The reason I share this with you, is that no matter where you go in life or whom you end up with, as long as there are those who are loved, they too will give in return and welcome each and all with open arms.
Many years have passed by; Dorothy, Theresa and Gracie have passed on as well as Dad and now Mom. But there are those, Desire, Connie, and Crystal who show me what they inherited in their blood. That same love for family and friends. I see it in Aimee as well as Edie. Dewayne too has that kindness in his heart, although he needs to apply it more often.
But for all of you, the generations who follow in her footsteps I know that whether she is mom or grandma, there is a part of her in all your hearts.
I love you all.
Mostly I love you Mom for opening your heart all those years ago.