Joan Audrey Gootman Smith was born in 1932, in Richmond Hill Queens. Her mother Mabel single handedly raised Joan and her sister Nancy instilling in them the importance of family, working hard, living simply, and trusting in God. These values informed Joan’s decision to dedicate her life as a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Norwegian Lutheran Hospital Nursing School in 1954. Throughout her career she nursed patients at Lutheran Medical Center, was a substitute school nurse in Middletown and Highlands school districts, and worked the night shift at the Navesink House. Joan was introduced to Todd A. Smith in early 1955. Todd was quickly enamored by Joan and sold his boat in order to purchase a diamond ring. The two wed on June 11, 1955. They lived in Richmond Hill NY, then Brooklyn, finally moving in 1966 to Red Bank, NJ where together they raised their three children, Alan, Carol and Linda. Joan became well known at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she was involved in the quilting ministry, was head of the Dorcas Circle, taught Sunday school and vacation bible school and sang in the choir for 30 years. She spent time at the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club or aboard one of Todd’s boats. Throughout the couple’s 61 years together the pair enjoyed taking boat trips up the Hudson from Red Bank to Kingston, NY, retreating to the family farmhouse in Fayetteville, NY, and simply being at home together. It was at home where Joan peacefully succumbed to her nine year tumult with Alzheimer’s on August 30, 2016.
Joan is survived by her sweetheart Todd; her sister Nancy and her husband Tom; her children and their spouses Alan Smith and Lynn Sandock Smith of Centreville, Va., Carol Smith and Paul Tanner of Ridgefield Ct, and Linda Smith Finnegan and James Finnegan Sr. of Stirling, NJ; her seven grandkids, Brittany & Ryan Smith, Nicole, Shannon, Kathleen, Victoria and James Finnegan and many loving nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joan’s life on Saturday, Sept 3, 2016, 1 to 3 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ. A mass will be celebrated on Sunday, Sept 4, 2016 at 1pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 150 River Road, Red Bank, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in the memory of Joan G. Smith.
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