Georgina Ethelynne Smith, of Irvine, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 1, 2013. She peacefully passed away while closely surrounded by her family.

She was a devoted wife, mother to her daughter and was also a proud and loving “Grammie” to her precious grandchildren. The memory of her love, strength, and faith will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Georgina was the only child born on July 12th to the late George and Mary Gilmore Foerst in New York. She was fiercely proud of her Irish and German roots, and remained close to her extended family even though they were apart geographically. Georgina and her parents moved to Southern California to follow other Walsh family who had come here from Ireland. She spent many summers on road trips travelling to Northern California, Montana, and back east. She travelled to Ireland many times to visit her mother’s family in Sligo and Mayo and to bask in the glow of her Irish roots. She and her parents made their home in Lost Angeles. After graduating high school at St. Mary’s Academy and then Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles she taught high school English and then in Catholic elementary schools, most fondly St. Simon and Jude in Huntington Beach, where she and her extended family made their home after moving from Los Angeles. She married John Kenneth Smith, and moved to Irvine where she made her home for the rest of her life.

She was a devoted teacher and taught piano in her home for many years. Her love of her family kept her busy travelling to visit and spend time with her grandchildren in recent years.

In the last year of her life she spent most of her time in Ventura County because of a serious illness that befell her after a wonderful weekend celebrating Grandparent’s Day. Her family is so grateful for this blessed gift of time with her making very special and treasured memories together.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, sharing special treats with her grandchildren, giving thoughtful gifts to others, and relishing the simple moments in life. She enjoyed reading (Maeve Binchy was a favorite), music, traveling, and watching Notre Dame Football. Shopping was a favorite pastime, as well as spending time with her high school and college friends at luncheons and “Mount” events.

Those left to cherish her memories are her loving husband, Jack; daughter Kathleen Mary; and her grandchildren Nicholas and Margaret Mary. Her family and many special friends will miss her dearly. Her family wishes to thank her dear friend Ana who became a part of the family and loved and cared for her to the end.

The family would like to thank the medical team of Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center for their tremendous care, compassion and professionalism they provided to her during her illness. Additionally, they wish to thank the caring and attentive nurses from Los Robles Home Health. They also thank her caregivers who were so compassionate through the difficult times of her illness. Most especially, they also thank her loving family, friends, who shared many special times and made special memories with her throughout her life. They also appreciate and thank the faithful priests, faculty and dear friends from St. Mary Magdalen Church and School in Camarillo who welcomed her with open arms and showered her and the entire family with love and support.

The visitation will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013, followed by a Vigil at 7:00 p.m., O’Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills, California 92653. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5101 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92604. She will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City.

Arrangements were made with the assistance of O’Connor Mortuary.