Jane Smyth

1925 - 2016

Jane Smyth

Mrs. Jane Rockafeller Smyth passed away peacefully at home the afternoon of May 7th surrounded by her family. Born in Long Branch, NJ in 1925 to Dr. Eugene and Janet McNeil Rockafeller, she spent her childhood with her older brother, Eugene F. Rockafeller, Jr. and cousins, Harry and John, who were like brothers. Growing up in various towns along the Jersey Shore, Jane attended Star of the Sea Academy in Long Branch. Jane loved to ride horses, especially around the family home in Manasquan and their farm in Glendola that later became Rockafeller Estates.

She enrolled in Georgian Court College in Lakewood and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School, where she met her future groom, Thomas L. Smyth, Jr. of Allentown, PA.

Married in February of 1950, the Smyths settled in Belmar, before being briefly stationed in Georgia during the Korean War, and returned to Belmar to start a family. Dr. Smyth was an Orthodontist on Main Street and, in the later years, Mrs. Smyth worked alongside him in his office. She was a communicant and active member of St. Rose for over 65 years, which encompassed membership in the Rosary Altar Society, including various roles on their executive board, and as a soloist and organist. Jane and Tom were honored to be installed as a Lady and Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Jane is remembered fondly by those close to her for her fun, adventurous personality, sweet tooth, love of family, and dedication to her faith.

After her beloved husband passed in February, Jane was supported by her surviving family, including seven children and spouses; T. Kevin & Linda Smyth of Arvada, CO, Mary Eugenia & Joseph Murray of Montgomery Village, MD, Siobhan Maple of West Belmar, Owen & Catherine Smyth of Linglestown, PA, Sean & Dina Smyth of Shrewsbury, Jeanette & Tony Yannazzone of Belmar, and Jane & Richard Melsky of Little Silver; her twelve grandchildren and their spouses, Michael & Kerry, Patrick & Lane, and Meghan Murray; Joshua, Andrew & Jacqueline, and Sarah Maple; Thomas and Rachel Smyth; Samuel and Nicolas Smyth; and, Anthony and James Yannazzone; her dear cousin, Maj. Gen. Harry J. Rockafeller, USA(ret.); Sally Bonner, Marjory Laux, and Sue Mueller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing at St. Rose Church in Belmar on Wednesday evening, May 11th from 3:30 until 7:30 pm with a Mass of Resurrection at St. Rose Church at 10:30 am Thursday, May 12th with interment following at St. Catharine's Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane Smyth's memory may be made to the Rosary Altar Society, c/o St. Rose Parish, 603 7th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719. For further information or to send condolences to the family, please visit reillyfuneralhome.com.