Patricia M. Smith

Smith Patricia M. (nee McEvoy) Patricia M. Smith, Attorney, wife, mother, grandmother, trailblazer and active volunteer. Age 82, died peacefully in her home in Gwynedd, PA on July 18, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on July 15, 1943 in New York, New York to John Joseph McEvoy and Ellen Hoffman McEvoy. She is survived by her husband, Rush Blackfan Smith, of nearly 60 years and three daughters, Kimberly Smith Guerster (Jonathan M.), Leslie Hughes Smith Jannetta (Gregory S.) and Christina Topley Smith as well as her six grandchildren (Bela, Mason and Brooke Guerster; Hannah Jannetta; Finley and Richard Paul) and twin sisters Eloise and Denise McEvoy. A brother pre-deceased her. Patricia grew up in Manhasset, NY, and developed a deep curiosity for and appreciation of art and culture living close to New York City, which shaped her life. She attended Newton College in Massachusetts and majored in History, wrote her senior thesis on the court case "Brown versus Board of Education," and became fascinated by the legal system. She met many lifelong friends while in Boston, including her husband when a mutual friend set them up on a blind date during a snowy evening to watch a Cornell versus Harvard ice hockey game. She and Rush settled near Philadelphia shortly after their first daughter was born. Patricia's curiosity, determination and love of learning inspired her children, grandchildren and all the lives she touched. Early on in her career, she obtained a master's degree in education, and became a Reading Specialist. She enjoyed teaching and worked on her doctorate in education until deciding to follow a dream of becoming a lawyer in her early 40's. Her love of writing and crafting arguments earned her a position as an Editor of the Law Review at Rutgers School of Law. Before graduating, she accepted an Associate's position at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis Cohen, a top Philadelphia firm where she also worked during the summer before her third year of law school. She left the big firm to spend more time with family and enjoyed nearly three decades as an attorney for the Social Security Administration, serving as Deputy Chief Counsel for the Mid-Atlantic region. Her colleagues recognized her as a hardworking leader who led by example. She won national accolades for her winning record and took pride in protecting the Federal Government's trust fund. Patricia blended roles of career professional, devoted wife, inspirational mother, doting grandmother, active volunteer and trusted friend with consummate grace. She enthusiastically supported everyone around her and was always there cheering on her children and grandchildren for important athletic events, concerts and milestones. She loved to celebrate the birthdays of her family and friends, gathering them together and feeding them with her delicious meals and coconut or chocolate desserts. "Nana" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren checked in with the family at mealtimes; she always made each and every family member feel special. Her grandchildren would sometimes get her to have a dance party after the meal or play a fun word game. She was "the bravest, gutsiest, most loving mother. She taught us we could do anything by believing in us." said one of her daughters. Patricia was an active member for nearly 60 years at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia. In March, she and her husband were recognized by church vestry with the Polly Randall Award for their years of extraordinary service. As an active volunteer, she loved to bake for others and take a meal or lend a helping hand through countless ministries. She chaired the annual Christmas bazaar fundraiser and co-chaired the Alter Guild. Her faith grew as a participant in the EFM (Education for Ministry) Bible study program. She had a special ability to listen and make others feel understood. She used this gift to serve in the Stephen Ministry at church during the initial years of her retirement. She had many hobbies including cooking, golf, travel, birding, gardening, art, music and caring for their sweet black labradors. She was a dedicated volunteer over the years to the Junior League of Philadelphia, the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, the League of Women Voters and the Philadelphia Orchestra's Women's Committee. Through this past season, she and Rush enjoyed season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra. Patricia loved to golf with family and friends, a sport she started when she turned 50. Her weekly golf game with friends at the Philadelphia Cricket Club brought her great joy. Her love of the outdoors prompted her to become a gardener at the age of 80. She planted a large vegetable garden in a plot within the Foulkeways retirement community garden. She loved spending time in the garden, learning how to make the vegetables and flowers flourish, and then giving them away to family and friends. Patricia had a great sense of adventure and passed this on to her children and grandchildren. She loved family trips over the years to the New Jersey Shore, Winter Harbor in Maine, Nantucket, New Hampshire and Alaska. She also enjoyed traveling with children to Montana, Washington DC, England and France. In 2019 she, along with Rush, one of her daughters and a group of Episcopalians-many from St. Martin-in-the-Fields -enjoyed a trip to Israel and Petra, Jordan. Former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and St. Martin's rector Frank Griswold helped lead the trip, which Patricia called "faith affirming." She felt great peace tracing the steps of Jesus throughout the Holy Land. A Funeral Service is planned for Friday, July 25th, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. A live stream will be available on the church's website Link: https://www.stmartinec.org/live. Instead of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Patricia M. Smith (write in memo line) to: Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. Or made at this link: https://www.stmartinec.org/give. Donations are also welcome to support gynecologic cancer research at Penn Medicine. Thank you for writing the check to 'Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania' and indicating 'in memory of Patricia M. Smith' on the check memo line or in a note with your gift. The address to use in support of Penn Medicine is: Penn Medicine Development, Attn.: Maddie Hansen, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Additionally, donations to Penn Medicine can be made by visiting this link: https://giving.apps.upenn.edu/fund?program=MED&fund=604151. www.craftfuneralhomes.com