Audrey L. Smith

Audrey Lynette Smith, 88, a longtime resident of Ephrata and Reinholds, PA, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, after a short stay in the skilled nursing unit at Ephrata Manor in Ephrata, PA. She was the beloved wife of Jacque A. Smith of Reinholds, PA, with whom she recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Born at Ephrata Hospital on March 3, 1937, Audrey was the daughter of the late Lloyd W. and Mary E. Rutt, née Sheaffer. Audrey was a 1955 graduate of Ephrata High School. After marrying, and following, her sweetheart, Jacque, to his Army post in Virginia, upon her return to Ephrata, she served as secretary at the Shaeffer Egg Company, until taking time to raise her three young daughters.

Audrey completed courses at Millersville University to become a certified reading tutor in the Ephrata Area School District in the late 1960s. She then set up, and ran, the district’s career resource center; later serving as a library aide, after the center was integrated with the Junior High School Library, and retired in 1999.

Audrey will be remembered for her faith, as well as her many skills and talents. She was a lifelong member of Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, where she served in many capacities throughout the years, including long-time participation in the quilting group. She was an accomplished seamstress, cook, painter, crafter, and homemaker, patiently sharing her skills with both her daughters and granddaughters throughout the years. She and Jacque were avid bridge players through the years, and she also loved reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Audrey most loved spending time with her family and friends, and making those moments memorable.

Audrey’s family will always cherish the memories of holidays, picnics, and family vacations to the beach, and elsewhere. They will forever treasure her kind and loving nature, as well as her willingness to drop whatever she was doing, or changing her plans, to care for and support those she loved. She will ever live on in their hearts and minds.

Along with her husband, Audrey is survived by three daughters, Susan L. Fitzpatrick, partner of Michael J. Formica, of Souderton, PA, Carol A. Nolt of Denver, PA, and Ann K. Lagaza, wife of Brian K. Lagaza of Denver, PA.

Audrey is also survived by four grandchildren, Brighid L. Fitzpatrick, Emily N. Burkhart, Jacquie E. Lagaza, and Michelle Martin, along with four great grandchildren, Jack Burkhart, and Raelyn, Taylor, and Bryson Martin.

She also leaves a sister, Shelby A. Brooks, of Ephrata, PA, a niece, Lori Brooks-Gehman, and a nephew, Barrett Brooks, and was preceded in death by a brother, Stephen L. Rutt, a brother-in-law, Barrett C. Brooks, and sons-in-law Louis J. Fitzpatrick III and Mervin S. Nolt.

Friends will be received at Gravenor Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc, 100 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA, at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 23, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM, the Rev. Dr. Linda Noonan officiating.