Joan Marie SMITH

SMITH, Joan Marie (Hoefs) Of Orange, CA, passed peacefully, November 20, 2010, surrounded by four generations of her family. Born in Lomita, CA on March 31, 1927, only child of Herbert Hoefs (1893-1970) and Ynez Reyes Dodson de Dominguez (1899-1983). She was a 6th generation California native, descended from Juan Jose Dominguez who received the first Spanish land grant in California in 1784: the Rancho San Pedro. Moved to Orange in 1928, attended West Orange School, Intermediate School, graduated from Orange Union High School 1945. In November 1945 Joan married Gene Smith (OUHS '43), the love of her life, and was devoted to him for 65 years. Her life in Orange centered around her large family, Church, her many friends and those in need. With lifelong Orange friends, "Joanie" and Gene loved community service, the beach, dining and dancing, Angels baseball, Orange High sports and supporting everything they could in Orange. Joan worked by Gene's side in their Orange businesses; starting in 1945 with the Orange Grove fruit stand on the old 101 Highway; then Smith's Farm Fresh Market on Lincoln for 20 years and Smith's Nuthouse for the last 25 years. Joan even had her own store in the Plaza, Mama's Clothesline. They chaired the Holy Family Fiesta for 23 years. In later years they traveled the world, including the Holy Land and much of the USA.
With the Orange 20-30 Annes and Holy Family Altar Society (50's and 60's), Joan held layette showers for un-wed mothers. From the 70's to 2003, she inspired the Woman's Club of Orange to work all year dressing dolls for Christmas for Indian reservation children in the Arizona mountains. In the 1980's she began to fill purses with gifts for often forgotten Indian women. Danny Davey and his Thunderbird Foundation made the deliveries for her each year. In 2003, with her blessing, the Orange YWCA adopted "Joanie's Purse Project" for local women in shelters. With great civic pride, Joan provided a voting site at her home for over 30 years. She was a US Census worker and perennial volunteer in numerous other local causes. For over 50 years, she cleared her calendar to meet with her Orange girlfriends in "The Clique" and "Chat & Do Nothing." Joan was an accomplished seamstress and homemaker extraordinaire. She loved entertaining, provided huge family meals, including unexpected guests, and made it look effortless. Her invitations always said "Come Early and Stay Late" and she meant it! She supported all seven of her children by serving as Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie Scout leader, room mother at Holy Family School, 4-H mom, avid sports fan and Mater Dei Booster. She saw to it that her family delighted in annual vacation together at Newport Beach each summer for 62 years in a row! During recent years, Joan truly enjoyed her role as beloved matriarch: Wife, Mother, Gramma, Greatgramma, Auntie and Cousin. Joan is survived by her husband Gene Smith and their seven children: Teresa Smith, Timothy Smith, Rev Fr. Christopher Smith, Matthew Smith, Thaddeus Smith, Maria Smith and Monica McPheeters, 24 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. With her "movie star" smile, fun loving heart and joyful approach to life, Joan truly lit up any occasion. She shared a deep yet practical faith that coupled prayer with hard work in living out God's plan. Her family and friends will cherish each precious memory of this wonderful giving woman who so loved each of us and her hometown of Orange. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00pm Friday at Brown Colonial Mortuary, 204 West 17th Street, Santa Ana. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30am Saturday in Holy Family Cathedral, 566 S. Glassell Street, Orange. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange. Brown Colonial Mortuary, Santa Ana 714/542-3949 Assisting the family