Joan Smithers Condetti

Joan Smithers Condetti, age 97, of Oxford, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 23rd, 2025.

Joan was born on October 7th, 1927 in London, England to Alfred and Ellen Smithers. Joan was a true East End girl, being born and raised in Hackney with her 10 siblings on Ballance Road, where generations of her family had lived, including Joan's own children. As a teenager, during World War II, Joan proudly served in The Women's Land Army and worked as an usherette at The Empire Theatre in Leicester Square. In 1947, she immigrated to the United States with her husband, a serviceman of the United States Navy.

Joan was a loving mother and the best Nanny to her many grandchildren. She would light up any room with her infectious laughter and stories of her younger days in London during the war. Joan loved singing and dancing, listening to big bands of the 1940s and watching musicals. She was an avid reader, she loved walking on the beaches of Maine, watching sports and she loved a proper cup of tea. For someone like Joan, 97 years doesn't seem like enough time - but she was ready to be with her son and the rest of her family who she has been without for many years.

She is preceded in death by her husband Augustine Condetti, son Michael Condetti, parents Alfred and Ellen Smithers, and her 10 siblings Alfie, Irene, Evelyn, Ronald, Kenny, Freddy, Raymond, Peggy, Donald and Shirley.

She is survived by her children Jenny Ordway (David), Kathleen Alpert, Christopher Condetti and Theresa Beck; her grandchildren - Justin Ordway, Rachel Chatelain (Matthew), Benjamin Alpert, Megan Wessel (Michael), Denise Condetti, Shane Condetti, Wade Condetti, Adam Beck, Heather Grant (Zach) and Joshua Beck; 12 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout England.

Services will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.