WillaGene Smith

SMITH - WillaGene, 87, died Wednesday in the Actors' Fund Home in Englewood. She was born and grew up in Buffalo, NY. Later she lived in Manhattan and Jackson Heights, NY, spending several years in radio and television, as had her mother. This was followed by almost thirty years in Teaneck, NJ, where she worked for the school transportation system, Teaneck High School, The National Council of Churches and Fairleigh Dickinson University. While in Teaneck she was an active member of the Community Church of Teaneck, producing their Christmas pageant and other programs for many years. When she retired from the University, she moved to Crestwood Village IV in Whiting, NJ. She was active in both the Toms River and Crestwood Village Garden Clubs, and was president of the latter for an unprecedented three years. WillaGene was predeceased by her parents, Joseph B. and Charme' Allen. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Craig A. and Kathy Smith, and two granddaughters, Stephanie and Deborah, all of Kernersville, NC. After cremation, final rites will be given at her family's resting place in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, OH. Arrangements were handled by Wien and Wien of Hackensack.