Nancy Jean Smith

Nancy Jean (Dickey) Smith, 84, died February 27, 2024, in the Cottages at Spring Arbor Senior Living in Leesburg, VA.

Born June 18th, 1939, in Pine Flats, Pennsylvania, Nancy Jean (Jeannie) was the daughter of the late Harry Lyle Dickey and Sarah Jane (Roberts) Dickey. On October 29, 1960, she married the late Norman Ray Smith of Arlington, VA, who passed on July 8, 2022, and the two shared over 60 wonderful years together.

Jeannie came from a large family of 6 sisters and 3 brothers (Joanne May, Marjorie Jane, Ruth Ella (Martin), William Leonard, Margaret Grace (Spillers), James Emerson, Mildred Anne (Willett), Claudia Kay (Stanley), and Harry Lyle Jr.). After graduating from Purchase Line High School, Jeannie spent some time in California with her sister, Ruth Ella, but found the West Coast wasn't for her, so she returned to Pennsylvania. During this time, the FBI was actively recruiting fingerprint specialists, and she and two of her sisters, Kay and Anne, decided to apply, moving to the Washington, D.C. area for those jobs. This is where Jeannie crossed paths with Norman, an instructor for new recruits at the time. Norman and Jeannie dated for several months and were married not long after.

With the arrival of their first daughter, Pam, on August 9, 1962, Jeannie decided to leave the FBI so that she could focus on being a full-time mother. Two years later, Jeannie and Norman moved into the home in Arlington, VA, that they would share for 60 years, and where they brought their second daughter, Brenda Sue, home on September 21, 1964.

After the girls were older, Jeannie went back to work for the FBI for a time. Later, she worked for Hecht Company (Macy's), and her last job was at Joanne Fabrics, where she got discounts on supplies that supported her love of quilting. Jeannie was a regular in line at the area Hallmark stores during the height of the Beanie Baby craze and could be found in the backyard of her Arlington home, keeping a beautiful garden and taking care of the resident turtle, feeding him cherry tomatoes and an occasional Twinkie and nursing him back to health after an unfortunate mishap with Norman's lawnmower.

When not busy with her hobbies, Jeannie enjoyed traveling across the country, attending the International Association of Identification (IAI) conferences with Norman, who held several positions on the board of the IAI's Chesapeake Bay division. Between their IAI travels and personal trips, the two had travelled to all 50 states. They also visited England and Wales, where they met several of Jeannie's cousins and followed in the footsteps of her mother, who took a similar journey when she was a young girl (except her mom endured a long trip at sea, where Jeannie got to fly).



In her later years, Jeannie was blessed to spend time with her grand and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. And although her memory faded, she remained the sweet woman she always was, giving hugs, kisses, and warm smiles every chance she got.

Jeannie had a wonderful life, and she is greatly missed. She is survived by her sister Claudia Kay Stanley, and her children, Pamela Lynne Smith and Brenda Sue (Smith) Heine; grandchildren, Leah Marie Beiswenger and Caitlyn Page Heine; and great-grandchildren, Avery Elizabeth Beiswenger, Peyton Olivia Beiswenger, and Logan Robert Maas.

Following her wishes, a private gathering of her immediate family was held in lieu of a memorial service.