Obituary of Florence Lillian Smith

Florence Lillian “Lil” Smith, age 97, of Pittstown NJ, formerly of DeKalb and Rockford IL, passed peacefully Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Country Arch Care Center in Union Township, NJ.  Lil was born April 1, 1922 in Seymour, WI. She is the daughter of the late Edward and the late Elizabeth (Judkins) Wiegel.   

A graduate of Darlington High School, Lillian moved to Rockford IL to start work at the Barber – Colman Company during the war. She would later marry her husband Thomas C. Smith on December 24, 1946 and together would start the Thomas C. Smith General Contracting. Lil was an avid volunteer at both her local hospital and church; she would also work as a beautician and realtor.

She loved to play music, especially the organ, piano and accordion. She was a wonderful cook, a great consultant to Tom in design and decorating the homes they built and she enjoyed sports and participated in playing golf and softball. She was a supporter of the Sisters of Notre Dame, an active member of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish and the Franklin Township Seniors. Above all she loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother and spending as much time with them as possible. 

Surviving are her two loving daughters: Lynn Leslie of St. Louis MO. and Lori Young and her husband Jim of Pittstown, NJ;  grandchildren, Jason Leslie, Grant Leslie, Amanda (Russ) Nelson, Megan(Kyle) Rheiner, Jay( Dana)Young  and Margaret(Jameson) Kimball . Great Grandchildren, Andrew, Annalise, Lillian, Graham, Wesley and Jacob. Lillian was predeceased by her husband Thomas on May 29, 2005, her daughter Bonnie Jean Smith on October 31, 1964, son in law Dr. Roger Leslie on November 7, 2009 and also her three brothers and four sisters.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10:30 am on Saturday, September 14 at Saint Catherine of Siena Church, 2 White Bridge Road, Pittstown, NJ with Fr. Chester officiating. Friends and relatives may gather with the family at the church from 9:30 am until the start of the mass at 10:30 am. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rockford IL at a later date in October. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Martin Funeral Home, Clinton, NJ. To send condolences to the family please visit www.martinfh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lillian’s name may be made through IN MEMORY OF for the Saint Catherine of Siena Building Fund or to the Quakertown Fire Company at http://www.inmemof.org/florence-lillian-smith