Nancy Smith

Nancy J. Smith, born December 8, 1929 in Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on a bright Sunday morning October 11, 2015 near Wilmington, IL, where she had resided the past 2 years following the death of her husband, Don "The Craft Man" Smith. Nancy and Don met on a blind date arranged by friends and were married at First Presbyterian Church in Aurora on June 14, 1952, where Nancy was a lifelong, devoted member, and became the second woman to become Elder of the church on December 29, 1968. She was the only child of Nevin and Ruth (Thomas) Blunt, who preceded her in death, as well as her loving step-mother, Lola (Speers) Blunt, who dedicated her life to helping Nevin raise Nancy following the death of her mother Ruth when she was a small child. She was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bessie (Webb) and Paul Smith; sisters-in-law Eileen (Robert) Tinker and Marilyn Smith, as well as several aunts, uncles, three nephews, and great grandson, Jayden. Nancy received her Bachelor Degree from Northern Illinois University and her Nursing Degree from Copley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and was last employed as a traveling school nurse in Kane County. She also was very active in her church, where she and her husband received an award for their stewardship, enjoyed time spent with their church family going on annual trips to Lake Geneva, The Covered Bridge Festival, Camping at Port St. Joe's in Florida, as well as many gatherings at each other's homes during their longtime friendship. One of her biggest joys was gathering to "do nothing" with her "Do Nothing Club", a group of her church lady friends who decided long ago that, being busy wives and moms, they wanted to get together and "just do nothing, which they continued to do monthly for over 60 years. Also, Nancy was one of the Chicago Cubs best fans, loyally rooting them on right up to the present time, where her family and friends are sure she is cheering them on in the playoffs from her heavenly seat, right alongside her husband Don. Nancy is survived by her three children, Linda (Scott) Hultgren, St. Louis, MO, David (Becky) Smith, Wilmington, IL, and Steve (Dixie) Smith, Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Nils Hultgren, Karissa Smith, Miranda Smith, Shannon (Dan) Confiliano, and Angela (Mason) Morris; great-grandchildren, Crista Confiliano, Jessica Skole, Gina Confiliano, Nicolas Confiliano, Riley Morris, and Katie Richards; many friends, numerous nieces and nephews, her faithful friend and supporter during her illness, Joan Platt, and her loving caregivers, Judy Yonkovich and Danni Young Visitation will be held Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 4 PM- 7 PM at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday October 23, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, 325 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505 with Pastor Jeff Moore officiating. Burial will take place at Lincoln Memorial Park, 675 Route 30, Aurora, IL 60503. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, at www.alzfdn.org, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora at the above listed address. Nancy's words to her husband, Don, as he passed away were "You Flew Away"... she, too, has now flown away to her Heavenly home to be with him, may they rest in peace together. For further information please call 630-897-9291 or www.healychapel.com to sign the online guestbook.