Hillary Smith

1990 - 2018

Hillary Smith
July 3, 1990 - October 3, 2018
Oakland
Hillary Smith was born in Fairfield, California to Barbara Taliaferro and William Smith. Fiercely independent, brave, and honest, Hillary forged her own path from an early age. Against great odds, she built a life she was incredibly proud of, surrounded by people she loved deeply.
For years Hillary was a mainstay in San Francisco's Haight district, where she had many big adventures with her beloved dog Pi. She formed a deep bond with the Homeless Youth Alliance, an organization she referred to often as "my mom" where she dreamed of taking over as Executive Director one day (there is no doubt that she could've done it, and that she would have been amazing at it). She met San Francisco's Director of Housing Opportunity, Partnerships, and Engagement, Bevan Dufty, who, inspired and moved by Hillary's resilience and smarts, offered her an internship at his office at City Hall. During her internship, Hillary touched many people at City Hall and served on the Citywide TAY Advisory Board. Hillary went on to volunteer at Berkeley Free Clinic. She was voted in as a member of the Berkeley Community Health Collective. She had a dream to continue to extend the outreach of the Free Clinic to homeless throughout the East Bay and brought Hep C testing to Punks with Lunch, a harm reduction outreach organization in Oakland. Hillary was a beloved member of Refuge Recovery and will be greatly missed by her community. At the time of her death, Hillary was a full-time student, acing the classes she hoped would lead to a nursing career in which she could reach and help people who were struggling.
Even in the short time she was with us, she touched countless lives and accomplished so much. If you were lucky enough to be her friend, or an adopted member of her family, you were part of an epic and beautiful adventure.
Hillary is survived by her dog/son Pi, aged seven; her incredibly supportive partner, Natalie Alger, her aunt and uncle Bill and Leslie Taliaferro and a community that will miss her deeply. Her parents, aunt Donna Taliaferro Atkinson and beloved grandfather Gerald Hall preceded her in death.
Please join us to celebrate her life November 3rd 2:00 pm at Page and Stanyan St in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Donations can be made to Homeless Youth Alliance at homelessyouthalliance.org


View the online memorial for Hillary Smith