Eileen Smith

Eileen Smith

Eileen Smith, 95, of Oregon, passed away on November 11, at The Gardens of St. Francis, surrounded by her loving family. Eileen was born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 23, 1929, to Thomas and Margaret (Reineck) Leahy. After her father's passing, she moved to Gibsonburg with her mother, where she met and married Wallace Kitchen in 1948, after they graduated from Gibsonburg High School in 1947. They were married for 25 years when he passed in 1974. Together they had two daughters who were her caregivers the past several months, Karen Kitchen and Lynn (Gary) Langel, who survive her; along with granddaughters, Tara (Rob) Shamy, Brittany (Joel) Byers and Jessica (Joel) Visser; and nine great-grandchildren. She married Robert Smith in 1977, and they celebrated 37 years of marriage when he passed in 2011. She gained five more children from marriage, Carole (Don, deceased) Belle, Jeanne (Ron, deceased) Kerr, Robert (Sharon) Smith, Sharon (Bud) Moody and Mike (Mary) Smith; special granddaughter, Deb (Tom) Gough; and 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Jean Leahy; special first cousins, who were like her sisters, Mary Mehlow, Ruth Ann Bowser and Budgin Traynor.

Eileen lived her life guided by compassion, kindness and service to others. She believed in the power of caring for her family, her friends and those in need. Through her many years of volunteering, she offered her time, talents and heart wherever they were needed the most. She lived her faith and values through simple, selfless acts of love. She was the happiest when she was spending time with her family.

She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where she volunteered in many capacities. She served in the soup kitchen at St. Louis Helping Hands for decades, and served on the board of the Little Sisters of the Poor Auxiliary. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to everyone at The Gardens of St. Francis for their wonderful care and love the past three years and the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially Matt, for their compassionate care the last days of her life.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., with the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, November 17, at The Gardens of St. Francis. In lieu of flowers, to honor Eileen's memory, donations may be made to St. Louis Helping Hands, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or by performing random acts of kindness.

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