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Joan Smith Obituary
Wonderful and giving mother to Evan Smith, loving wife and companion to Allan Fishkind, generous and attentive to friends and loved ones, and one of the top event florists in the New York Metropolitan area, including in-house florist for the prestigious New York Lotos Club for 10 years.
Never far from smelling the roses, Joan volunteered teaching floral classes to community groups. She passionately engaged children at North Shore Child Guidance and the Port Washington Children's Center where the children left with an appreciation of flowers and a centerpiece gift of there own. She also offered classes to adults at the Port Washington Public Library.
Coming from a deprived childhood of her own, Joan had a special heart and empathy for disadvantaged children. In 1999 Joan revisited the neighborhood of her youth in the South Bronx to memorialize her late brother, Irwin. As a result of Joan and Allan's substantial donation, Friends of Crotona Park, Phipps Community Development and the JM Kaplan Fund were able to refurbish a derelict boathouse in Crotona Park and turn it into a Nature center where Joan taught floral classes to the neighborhood children, Joan's charitable interests in Croton Park extended to teaching area women in a safe house who came from battered and abused environments.
Many non-profit organizations have been the recipients of Joan's creative gifts and time. In1989 Joan was honored by Long Island Association for Aids Care for her successful fundraising efforts during a time where the Aids epidemic was something that people did not understand and avoided getting involved. In 2003 Joan was honored again for her successful fund raising efforts for Film Aid International, whose mission involved refugees in remote camps in East Africa and Tanzania.
Everyone in Port Washington knew and loved the Joan Smith Floral Shop. which was located there for 35 years. Customers returned, not only for the beauty of her craft but for Joan's outgoing spirit and larger-than-life personality. Joan had a compelling honest and irreverent wit which kept costumers returning as friends. Joan had an unforgettable charisma, zest for life and a philosophy that did not allow vanity or doubt.
Joan never judged others; she had a gift of seeing beyond the surface and was able to communicate with a person's soul. Her attitude of acceptance and empathy helped people to value themselves as the unique individuals they are.
Everyone who had been touched by Joan was touched by an angel. A world without Joan Smith is diminished by her absence, but as anyone who has ever known her, has benefitted from her grace.
Donations to ' The Joan Smith Memorial Fund ' will be dedicated to a memorial bench and plaque in Port Washington. Proceeds from the Fund will also go to animal rescue organizations, St. Jude hospital and V-Day { movement }. Donations can be made out to 'Joan Smith Memorial Fund' and sent to, Allan Fishkind ,93 Webster Avenue, Port Washington , NY. 11050
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Smith
Dana epifan
December 13, 2020
Each day I miss her smile as I know you do. There were so many lessons that I can remember while just having fun. Thank you for that memorial article. She was so humble I never knew how much she shared with so many. May she Rest In Peace.
DANA MCBEE
December 8, 2020
Joan was a remarkable woman. My mother Jo Grifo had an interior design studio next door to Joan's floral shop. I have known Joan and Alan a very long time. Joan had many talents other than designing arrangements. Two arrangements I recall vividly to this day, were for my x husband , his friends called him bone . Joan came up with special floral arrangement of a bone covered in red carnations, I still see it in my mind. On another occasion another friend who had his sunset , Joan made an arrangement of a sail boat withe the most stunning flowers.
Joan's talent extends beyond flowers.Her inate ability to pick up on people. She knew when they needed a spiritual check up and Joan just took care of it. I I still cannot believe she is not on this planet , knowing Joan she got the job of God's top angel , looking after sorry souls. Joan's spirit will live in my heart forever and as often as I will think about her I will feel a big smile perhaps giggle a warm feeling in my heart will come over me . I know Joan is with me.
'I LOVE YOU JOAN
Dana mcbee
December 8, 2020
Joan was a remarkable lady, she brought the best out in everyone making me feel special and anyone who was lucky ienough to be in her presence. Joan had super energy , she loved what she did and. Was incredibly happy all the time. I call it infectious
Caryn Richter kinney
October 27, 2020
Joan was an artist , she made magic with her hands. Thank you Joan
Richard Fowler
October 25, 2020
Joan: a tribute to Mrs. Joan Smith
by Richard Fowler
June 2020
Life can be paradoxical; things aren’t always as they seem
And a young man’s struggle to make sense of them can be an unrelenting theme.
We can always use a friend to help us navigate our way
And when a certain young man made a friend, it marked a consequential day.
His new friend was creative, optimistic, generous and kind;
In fact, everything by which someone special is defined.
Then, one such paradox emerged and sparked his curiosity,
This young man, who incidentally, happened to be me.
I queried, how is it that someone special makes me feel I’m the special one
(While demonstrating her ability to turn something mundane into fun)?
And, how is it that being guarded, I can tell her how I feel,
Then be glad I did and realize it was not so big a deal?
But, a more prevailing question revealed my insecurity:
Why would someone like that want to spend their time with me?
I think our greatest and most basic need is to be understood
Because it motivates and empowers us to treat each other as we should;
It eliminates competition and creates a level playing field
Where our similarities, more often, are the things that are revealed.
The only way we understand someone is by listening with our heart
And, Joan, you are the Master; with you, listening is an art.
I always knew you understood me and it helped me understand myself
And I also knew you didn’t get that from a book off of a shelf.
You knew exactly what to say and used the perfect metaphor;
I’d leave you, feeling good, and I’d come back, wanting more.
But, I know I’m not the only one; I’m sure everyone you’ve known
Can attest to being touched by the magic that is Joan.
Your positivity alleviates your friends’ anxieties and fears
And your youthfulness belies the passing of the years.
And do you remember when I was 19, you said “You’re like 119 to me”?
You taught me age is insignificant when it’s someone’s soul you see.
Your soul is beautiful and pure and completely judgement-free
It touches mine and lets me know you love me unconditionally.
So, I’m grateful serendipity enabled us to meet
And that old memories reunited us to make things feel complete.
Their resurfacing is proof that they were always meant to last
And now, what happened many years ago, feels like the not so distant past!
(I wish I had written this for you earlier, Joan. I never dreamed you’d only have it for three months.)
Candice A Boyle
October 25, 2020
She is gone but will never be forgotten by so many who had the privilege of knowing her. I enjoyed each of my business and personal encounters with she and Allan. They were friends and so generous of their time. Always helpful during difficult times and joyful times. Always bringing one her most beautiful and charming boxes of roses when they visited. Joan was like a flower.....always beautiful in her personal simplicity. Always welcoming no matter how busy she was. She was like a magnet drawing everyone to her with her smile and genuine happy personality. I will have her tucked in my heart forever.
Ron Hansford
October 24, 2020
Joan Smith was indeed a special person. Her unique character, creativity, humor, and free-spirited kindness were a force of nature that had the power to inspire, entertain, teach, and, most of all, have a lasting impact on the lives of everyone she encountered. I was one of the many who had the incredible fortune of knowing her and having the light of her generous spirit turned towards my direction.
My current career trajectory leads back to when I was in my late teens, in the wee hours at her shop, where she shared her gifts with me; the craft and artistic perspective behind the art of flowers. My love of flowers and the long road to creating events started there with her. I would not be the creative professional I am today without the early years of apprenticeship I had with her. I am forever grateful. It’s hard for me to find words to express my emotions for her and her impact on my life, not only as a creative mentor but also as a personal champion to a young man growing to define himself in the world. Joan and Allan's encouragement was boundless and selfless. My gratitude is immeasurable.
Joan's humor was legendary! The countless times I remember being rendered to tears and full-on belly laughs from her sense of comedic timing and context was brilliant, truly one of a kind! I miss those moments so much! The love and care that she shared effortlessly with a passion will continue in countless ways far beyond our view.
My deepest condolences to Evan and Allan, all her family and friends. She is loved and will be missed deeply!
With kind and loving sincerity,
Ron Hansford
Simone Taylor
October 24, 2020
Please except my deepest sympathies as the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of God, family and friends.
Barbara E Fishman
October 24, 2020
Join an was a spirit. She would swoop into your life and fill your emptiness with soulful warmth.
I remember Joan’s solutions for the centerpieces for my Mom’s 100th birthday. Each table was filled with one bouquet of color. It was stunning. Joan’s artistic eye and beautiful heart will always be around us. Joan goes back to the early era of Aida and friends here in Port Washington. I am going to miss her.
susan
October 23, 2020
Thank you to Joan for setting the bar so high in floral design for me and being the only person that could make me.flowers. I always admired and loved her warmness towards me and I was her competition at one point ...she was the queen as Anne named her and that made me the princess of floral design.May she rest surrounded by beauty always. Susan ( past owner of The Flower Market)
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