Agnes Vorwerk Smith

AGNES VORWERK SMITH, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, of Shaker Heights, Ohio passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025, at the age of 89.

Agnes is survived by her husband of 40 years, J. William Smith along with her children, Robert Linton, Jr. (Kris), Christine McComb, Dr. Anne Linton, and Mary Linton; and her stepchildren, John Smith (Rosalind), Peggy Smith Flannery (Brian), and Tom Smith. She was the proud grandmother of 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Agnes was born in 1936 in Akron, Ohio. She was a graduate of Akron St. Vincent High School where she served as vice-president and salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Canton, Ohio and worked as a nurse at St Thomas hospital.

While raising her four children, Agnes went back to school and completed her bachelor's degree, and then her master's degree at Case Western Reserve University in Social Work. She became certified as a Gestalt therapist. She practiced for nearly thirty years as a mental health therapist, first at Recovery Resources, and then in private practice-giving her clients hope and healing through sobriety.

In her late 40's, Agnes became a passionate runner. She completed four marathons, and numerous half-marathons, 5ks and 10ks. She completed a half marathon at the age of 75 and continued running into her early 80's.

She will be remembered for her tireless energy, compassion, sense of style, family traditions, cooking, and gardening-and her unconditional love and belief in all those she touched.

Agnes was preceded in death by her siblings, Richard Vorwerk and Frances Vorwerk Peterson, her stepson Joseph William Smith III, son-in-law Tim Schallberger, and granddaughter Meghan Flannery.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Marian Chapel at the Church of the Gesu in University Heights, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve.