Phyllis Ellen Smith

Phyllis Ellen Smith ObituaryPhyllis Ellen Smith (née Luttrell), 96, passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born June 6, 1929, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Vera Ellen (Van Horn) and Cyrus John William Luttrell, Phyllis spent her early years exploring lakeshores, farmland, and small-town streets. Summers at her grandparents' cottage in Lakeside, Ohio, and visits to her family's farm in Lancaster were the backdrop to a childhood filled with curiosity, laughter, and the occasional mischievous prank on her older sister, Joan. She was a Girl Scout, a church choir singer, and a "Daddy's girl" through and through. She was always ready for the next adventure.
After graduating as Valedictorian of Lorain High School in 1947, Phyllis attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, majoring in Education and minoring in Spanish. She joined Delta Zeta sorority, worked at a local bookstore, and, on a fateful blind date in 1949, met George Smith, the man who would hold her hand for the next 74 years.
They married on March 28, 1953, at the Berea Methodist Church, and soon after built a home in Kirtland, Ohio, where they raised four children and welcomed countless others into their fold. Nieces, nephews, exchange students, neighborhood kids, and "adopted" daughters, Lisa McGregor Johnston and Gaby Ritchie, all found a place at Phyllis's table. Her home was always warm with the smell of fresh-baked cookies, the hum of conversation, and the laughter of friends.
Phyllis was a gifted teacher-both in the classroom and in life. She began her career in Parma, Ohio, and then moved on to the Kirtland school system where she served in many roles until her retirement in 1990. Beyond her work, she devoted herself to her community-co-leading the Old South Church youth group, singing alto in the choir, running the church bazaar, and earning the title of Mother of the Year in 1974. She organized school fundraisers, made churros for the Spanish Club, directed drama productions, hosted countless parties for the marching band, volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and was an usher at Playhouse Square.
Her creativity knew no bounds. She created curtains and quilts, turned needlepoint and cross-stich into art, and sewed her children's clothes when they were young, often to their chagrin. In the kitchen, she was legendary. Her butterfly cookies, sausage crepes, and hot fudge sauce became family heirlooms in edible form. She was the creator of many family traditions - matching Christmas pajamas, brown-bag treats, knitted mittens, and her famous annual Christmas poem.
Though she never loved the sailing itself, Phyllis and George were devoted members of Edgewater Yacht Club, embracing the camaraderie, happy hours, and theme nights. Together they traveled the world-Paris, Istanbul, Hawaii, Switzerland, Jamaica-always returning with tales to tell over and over.
In 2013, they moved to Breckenridge Village in Willoughby, Ohio, where they carried their love for a theme party into a new chapter. Mardi Gras, Hawaiian luau, and Oktoberfest were just a few parties that cemented their reputation as joyful hosts and helped establish the amazing community of residents with whom they shared a deep love and respect.
Phyllis was the quiet force that made everything better. She led with kindness, listened without judgment, and gave without expecting anything in return. She loved her children-Linn (Geoff) Bowen, Kim Lubel, Jeff (Heather) Smith, and Cynthia (Carlos) Cata-deeply and unconditionally, and adored her grandchildren: Drew and Maggie Murphy (Linn); Grace (John Harrington), Caroline and Broden Bowers (Kim); Grant, Madison, and Lauren Smith (Jeff); Elena, Ian, and Nathan Cata (Cynthia); and her great-granddaughter, Maya Ellen Harrington. She deeply embraced her sons- and daughter-in-law as her own.
When George passed in January 2023, she held his hand until the end, just as she had since 1949. In her final years, she was cared for with tenderness and love by Taylor Made Home Care and Ohio Living Hospice, whose love and kindness the family will never forget.
Phyllis lived a life anchored in love, service, and joy. She taught by example-how to show up, how to laugh through the hard parts, how to make a home that welcomes the world. Her family will carry forward her traditions, her recipes, her lessons, and her love, always.
A memorial service will be held at Old South Church on September 20th at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Phyllis and George Smith Scholarship at Miami University (Ohio) www.GivetoMiamiOH.org/SmithScholarshipFund, Old South Church (oldsouthchurch.org), or Autism Speaks (autismspeaks.org).
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Phyllis Ellen Smith (née Luttrell), 96, passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born June 6, 1929, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Vera Ellen (Van Horn) and Cyrus John William Luttrell, Phyllis spent her early years exploring lakeshores, farmland, and small-town streets. Summers at her grandpar