Rebecca Lang Smith

1956 - 2025

Smith, Rebecca Lang (Becky), 68, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025. She shared beautiful last days surrounded by her loving family, friends, and rescue pup. She was born December 10, 1956, in Gowanda, NY. Rebecca is survived by her adoring children, daughter Natalie, son-in-law Josh, and son Phillip. Also sharing this loss are Rebecca's devoted siblings and their families: Patty and John Mayer, and David and Gwen Lang. Rebecca loved and was loved by her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved parents and husband of over thirty years, Bill.

Rebecca was a gentle and kind soul with a gregarious spirit. She was passionate about her lifelong hobbies of gardening, reading, and writing, while also enjoying the close friendships she made along the way. While having grown up in South Jersey, Rebecca enjoyed living in many states across the country, creating beautiful homes and gardens in Chicago, Illinois; Newark, Delaware; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; and Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, before finally settling in northern Colorado. Her empathy, joie de vivre, and genuine curiosity led her to form lasting friendships and close ties to wherever she lived, especially within her community at Affinity in Loveland, CO.

Becky graduated from West Deptford High School (1975) of West Deptford, NJ, and from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (1979) of Blacksburg, VA. A natural nurturer, she earned her bachelor of science degree in horticulture at Virginia Tech, where she met the love of her life, Bill Smith. Together, the early years of their marriage were filled with raising two loving children, adopting rescue animals (especially pugs), and even starting a landscape design company, Gardens by Design. Later, Rebecca finished her master's degree at Virginia Commonwealth University (2012) in rehabilitation counseling with a focus on horticultural therapy for people affected by traumatic brain injuries. She also volunteered her time at Virginia Supportive Housing and Los Angeles after-school reading programs. Additionally, Rebecca used her horticultural knowledge as part of the annual decorating team for the Donate Life float at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, honoring organ and tissue donors who have saved countless lives–a mission close to the family's heart.

Rebecca was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2006. For close to 20 years, she battled through the hardships of this disease while still believing that each new sunny day brings adventure, that each new bud brings a blooming petal, and that each new book holds a fresh story. She was not defined by her disease but rather her journey of strength, resilience, and hope as a breast cancer warrior, living for life's joyful moments and shared smiles among friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at Allnutt Funeral Service, 2100 North Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24th, with refreshments served immediately following. In place of flowers, contributions may be made in Becky's memory during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or American Cancer Society. If you are unable to attend, please consider watching the VT Hokies home game at Lane Stadium that night and sending love up to our angels, Bill and Becky.