Laura Jean Smith

Laura Jean Smith passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Jean, as she was fondly known, radiated warmth and kindness throughout her life, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Jean, the noted author and editor of ten books on Buddhism, was born in Savannah, Georgia, on September 3, 1938. She attended Duke University and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She began a lifetime of activism then: She participated in early civil rights activities with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King, taking part in the first lunch counter demonstrations in North Carolina. She was active in the anti-war, early feminist, and gay-rights movements. Jean began recovery from alcoholism in 1973 and spent the rest of her life in local and national service in that field, including volunteer work in maximum-security prisons. A groundbreaker in her profession, she was the first woman to hold many positions in publishing in New York City, including being the first president of a College Publishing company.

An avid outdoors person, Jean was on one of her four treks in the Himalayas forty years ago when she had an experience that caused the teachings of the Buddha to drop those magic inches from her head to her heart. She’s been on that spiritual path ever since. Jean started the Adirondack Mountain Sangha in Upstate New York. For health reasons, she moved to Taos Retirement Village full-time in 2002. As a Buddhist teacher, she has given talks in New York City and in New Mexico in Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Vallecitos; was the long-time chair of the board of The Mountain Hermitage; and served on the board of Taos Mountain Sangha. When her outdoor activities were limited by physical illness, she bought a horse and a ladder and rode her beloved horse weekly until she was 87.

Jean is survived by her loving family, Morgan (Laurel), Jenny, Cecil, and countless friends who were her chosen family. She will be dearly missed, but her light will continue to shine in our hearts.

Jean was not just a mentor; she was a true friend with a delightful sense of humor that brightened the lives of those around her. Her legacy of compassion and joy will be cherished forever. The last words she wished to be known by are “live life to the fullest.

In honor of her spirit, we share this Metta:

May all beings be safe and protected, free from inner and outer harm.May all beings be happy and content.May all beings be healthy and whole to whatever extent possible.May all beings experience the ease of well-being.May all beings live life to the fullest.

A memorial service will be held later in the spring. If anyone wishes to donate in Jean's honor, please send donations to Stray Hearts Taos Animal Shelter, Doctors Without Borders, or Taos Mountain Sangha.