Eileen Smith Obituary
Visit the Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home Inc. website to view the full obituary.
Eileen C. Smith, 86, of Norfolk, VA passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, after a brief illness.
Eileen was born on August 24, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Marie McGuinness. She grew up in the Prospect Park and Park Slope areas of Brooklyn and entered the nursing school of Kings County Hospital after high school. She was a registered nurse and continued her formal nursing education completing a Bachelor of Nursing degree (University of MD) and a Master's of Administrative Science degree (John Hopkins University). Her nursing career spanned over 55 years and included-patient care in advanced care units, nursing management, hospital administration, staff and patient education and training, patient quality and safety leadership, home health and she concluded her career as a Senior Risk Manager. Throughout her long and successful career, Eileen worked at Howard County General (Columbia, MD), Holy Cross (Silver Spring, MD and Utah), Medstar Harbor (Baltimore, MD) and Huntsville (AL) hospitals.
Eileen was a nurse by profession and a caregiver by nature. She saw beauty in the everyday and gave comfort so freely to those around her. Throughout her life of caring for patients and improving the healthcare delivery systems where she was employed, Eileen demonstrated a keen awareness of healthcare, served others with compassion and practicality and provided mentorship to peers and led with confidence and grace. Eileen also loved to garden, birdwatch, and spend time with her family and friends. Her compassion lives on in the many lives she touched and in the love she leaves behind.
Eileen is survived by her five children--James J. Smith (Jennie) of Oakland, MD; Kathy Nicodemus (Charlie) of Woodbine, MD; Kelly Brown of Norfolk, VA; Karie Ford (Tim) of Severna Park, MD; and Tracey Finn of Littleton, NC-eight grandchildren-Ally Brown-Velez (Alyssa), John Brown, Sarah Nicodemus (Rod Kiel), Katie Ford, Jack Ford, Emma Finn, Maggie Finn, and Elizabeth Finn, -and two step-great grandchildren-Michelangelo Velez and Leonardo Velez. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-Edward McGuinness and James McGuinness, sister Miriam Stoller and Miriam's son, Richard Stoller.
A visitation will be held on January 22, 2026, between 10:00 am and 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at Witzke's Family Funeral Home in Ellicott City, MD. Interment will follow the funeral service at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Marriottsville, MD. A private gathering will follow the services and details will be provided at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eileen C. Smith, please visit our floral store.
Eileen was born on August 24, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Marie McGuinness. She grew up in the Prospect Park and Park Slope areas of Brooklyn and entered the nursing school of Kings County Hospital after high school. She was a registered nurse and continued her formal nursing education completing a Bachelor of Nursing degree (University of MD) and a Master's of Administrative Science degree (John Hopkins University). Her nursing career spanned over 55 years and included-patient care in advanced care units, nursing management, hospital administration, staff and patient education and training, patient quality and safety leadership, home health and she concluded her career as a Senior Risk Manager. Throughout her long and successful career, Eileen worked at Howard County General (Columbia, MD), Holy Cross (Silver Spring, MD and Utah), Medstar Harbor (Baltimore, MD) and Huntsville (AL) hospitals.
Eileen was a nurse by profession and a caregiver by nature. She saw beauty in the everyday and gave comfort so freely to those around her. Throughout her life of caring for patients and improving the healthcare delivery systems where she was employed, Eileen demonstrated a keen awareness of healthcare, served others with compassion and practicality and provided mentorship to peers and led with confidence and grace. Eileen also loved to garden, birdwatch, and spend time with her family and friends. Her compassion lives on in the many lives she touched and in the love she leaves behind.
Eileen is survived by her five children--James J. Smith (Jennie) of Oakland, MD; Kathy Nicodemus (Charlie) of Woodbine, MD; Kelly Brown of Norfolk, VA; Karie Ford (Tim) of Severna Park, MD; and Tracey Finn of Littleton, NC-eight grandchildren-Ally Brown-Velez (Alyssa), John Brown, Sarah Nicodemus (Rod Kiel), Katie Ford, Jack Ford, Emma Finn, Maggie Finn, and Elizabeth Finn, -and two step-great grandchildren-Michelangelo Velez and Leonardo Velez. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-Edward McGuinness and James McGuinness, sister Miriam Stoller and Miriam's son, Richard Stoller.
A visitation will be held on January 22, 2026, between 10:00 am and 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at Witzke's Family Funeral Home in Ellicott City, MD. Interment will follow the funeral service at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Marriottsville, MD. A private gathering will follow the services and details will be provided at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eileen C. Smith, please visit our floral store.
Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home Inc.
4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
People and places connected with Eileen
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Memories and Condolences
for Eileen Smith
Make a Donation
in Eileen Smith's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
How to support Eileen's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Eileen Smith's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
