VIRGINIA MAE "GINNY" SMITH

Virginia Mae "Ginny" Smith, 94, of Mansfield, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Broad Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wellsboro.
Ginny was born March 28, 1919, in Big Flats, N.Y., a daughter of Lloyd Franklin and Mary Ellen (Pickering) Bastian. She was the widow of Wilson W. Smith.
Mrs. Smith was a 33-year veteran in the real estate field in Mansfield. She began her real estate experience with family owned West's Farm Agency, Inc. in 1955 where she served as advertising manager and business manager of the local home office that covered several northeastern states and over 100 branch offices. When they later sold to Safe-Buy of Little Rock, Ark., the home offices were moved to Elmira, N.Y. where Mrs. Smith served in the same capacity in addition to becoming branch manager for the State of Pennsylvania.
She and her late husband, Wilson, also operated a branch office in Mansfield. In 1964 she and her husband created the firm of Homestead Realty with branch offices in both Bradford and Tioga counties. Their office was later moved to South Main in Mansfield. Before retiring in 1987, Mrs. Smith was a member of the Local, State and National Association of Realtors; a certified Farm and Land Broker; and a graduate of the PA Realtors Institute. She held certification in Residential and Farm Appraising as well as Subdivision and Land Development. She was a member of the National Marketing Institute and had special training in Marketing Investment. Much in demand from 1964 until her retirement in 1987,
Mrs. Smith appraised for local, state and national agencies. Among them were Penn DOT, the then, General State Authority, Tioga County Redevelopment Authority, PA Fish and Game Commission, UA Veterans Admin, F.H.A. (Federal Housing Admin.). She appraised for the First Citizens National Bank and several insurance firms. She was qualified for both commercial and residential real estate.
Mrs. Smith was a charter member and former officer of the North Central Board of Realtors. She served on the Mansfield Borough Variance Board and represented the Borough on the Mid-Tioga Valley Joint Municipal Planning Commission. Mrs. Smith was active in local and civic affairs. She was past president of the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, past member of B.O.O.M. and T.A.R.T. She was, for years, a member of the local bank board of the First Citizens National Bank in Mansfield.
She was a past trustee and member of the Mansfield United Methodist Church and was a co-founder and member of the Mansfield Business and Professional Women's Club.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Smith was a member of the Mansfield Educational Memorial Fund. She was a past president of the Tioga County Federation of Republican Women. She was a Past Noble Grand of the former Elizabeth Rebekah Lodge and past State President of the Ladies Auxiliary of Patriarchs Militant.
Mrs. Smith was an award winning artist in both oils and water color. After her retirement, she published several books of poems.
Mrs. Smith is survived by a sister, Fay Jones of Mansfield; one brother, Jack R. (Alice) Bastian of Corning, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law, Martha (Glenn) Bastian of Blossburg, Wanda (Lloyd) Bastian of Middlebury; several nieces and nephews; grand nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Mansfield. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice or to the Mansfield United Methodist Church, Academy St. Mansfield, Pa. 16933 Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com