Barbara Jean Smit

Barbara Jean Smit
February 3, 2025
Barbara Jean "BJ" Smit died on February 3, 2025, in Seattle, WA, at the age of 78. BJ was born at Holy Rosary Hospital to Dutch immigrants Sam and Nell Smit, and she grew up as the eighth of twelve brothers and sisters on the family farm in Nyssa, OR. BJ was an artist. She moved to Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. She studied Art and French in Paris, and returned to Seattle where she worked as a CETA artist with the Seattle Arts Commission. BJ began working at the University of Washington and helped manage the Diabetes Research Clinic until she retired in 2015. She had a unique ability to see beauty, whether it was in nature, art and in other human beings. Equity and diversity were very important to BJ, and she stood by her values always - in her words: "If we don't value each other--what is the purpose?" BJ loved her neighbors and community in Seattle. She was a beloved sister and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She loved her family and we loved her, she will be missed. BJ was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Mary Jean (Al) and Wilma (Jack); and brothers, Casey (Beverly), John (Norma) and Sam. She is survived by her siblings, Nan, Pete, Paul (Arlene), Bob (Sue) and Monica (Tony). If you are inclined, please consider making a donation to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) in her memory.