Sharon E. Smith
August 31, 1947 - October 25, 2013
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Sharon E. Smith
August 31, 1947 - October 25, 2013
Obituary
Sharon Elizabeth Smith, 66, passed away on October 25, 2013 after a short battle with cancer. She was at home, surrounded by her family and friends. Sharon’s life was centered around her two children, Sam and Cara along with her two Boston Terriers “Ruby and Johnnie”.
Sharon was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin on August 31, 1947. Every year when she celebrated it was never referred to as her birthday but as “the end of August”. Sharon was the youngest of six children and spent her entire childhood in Waupaca. After her high school graduation in the summer of 1965 Sharon ventured to San Francisco with her mom, Elizabeth Woodliff, to follow in the footsteps of her sisters and aunts. In 1970 while still living in San Francisco, Sharon married her long time friend, Fred Smith. After the wedding, Fred and Sharon followed Fred’s career in the Marine Corps to Camp Pendleton. In 1973, they moved to San Luis Obispo to attend college and after Fred’s college graduation moved to Anaheim in 1975. While living in Anaheim the happy couple welcomed their first daughter, Cara Nicole Smith, on December 10, 1976. They stayed in Anaheim until 1978 when they decided to move to El Toro (Lake Forest) which became their home for many years to come. On March 21, 1984, Sharon gave birth to their second baby, Samuel Hayes Smith. He was delivered unexpectedly by the local fire department in their home.
Sharon worked at Trabuco Canyon Water District for 22 years as the District Treasurer/Board Secretary. She retired in February of 2010 and has spent the years since working on her house and gardening, two of her favorite past times. She also spent many hours making hand-made gifts for those she cared about and planning intimate parties for close friends and family. Her secret baked bean recipe was a favorite of everyone and the recipe still remains a secret. Sharon also had a passion for traveling and was thrilled to have been able to travel the world with Cara, her own personal tour guide.
Sharon Elizabeth Smith is survived by her daughter Cara Smith, son Sam Smith (Katie), Fred Smith (Father of Cara and Sam), brothers Bruce Woodliff (MaunaLoa), Skip Woodliff and John Woodliff (Sue), sister Jane Snyder, and preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth Woodliff and sister Nancy Krueger and nephew David Woodliff.
13 responses to Sharon E. Smith
Kathy Shapiro says:
November 1, 2013
Sharon has been my next door neighbor since I moved to Lake Forest almost ten years ago. I’ll miss her cheerful greetings when I leave for my bike rides on weekend mornings. Sharon generously got my mail and cared for my plants when I was out of town. She would bring me homemade soup and vegetables from her garden. She was caring and considerate, often asking me if her dogs were too loud. Sharon was gracious, yet told it like it was. If I asked Sharon’s opinion on something, there was no beating around the bush–I knew I’d get an honest answer. It was obvious she loved Cara and Sam more than anything and her dogs, Ruby and Johnny, meant the world to her. I will miss my wonderful neighbor.
Kathy Shapiro
jamie jones says:
November 2, 2013
Sharon Smiths beautiful life will always be reflected in her wonderful son and daughter, Sam and Cara.
Emmy Illoso says:
November 5, 2013
With our loving and deepest sympathy to Cara, Sam & the rest of the family. Sharon will always be remembered as a kindhearted person with genuine, glowing character. An exemplary neighbor in the good ole Orchard Rim.
With this remembrance we bow our head in silent prayer….. Lord, you have called Sharon home, the one you truly love, gone now from earthly dwelling, leaving behind those who mourn, all grieving but holding memory dear.
(From) Jun & Emmy Illoso & family
Nancy Craven says:
November 6, 2013
The memorial service honoring Sharon’s life was beautiful, a beautiful testimony to her life. When the officiator asked for a word to say about Sharon, I could not say it out loud but I leaned over to Terry and said “ding, dong, ditch” and that made us laugh. Years ago when the “gals” in the neighborhood would get together on Friday nights, one (or maybe two) of those nights Sharon instigated ringing the door bells of the neighbors and running! Can you believe it grown women and we were HOA board member to boot! That was Sharon’s wonderful impish sense of humor, she will be missed.
Nancy Craven
Audrey Lord-Hausman says:
January 31, 2014
So sorry to just hear this news about a good friend whom I worked with in the 70s in San Francisco. While our life paths went separate ways, we eventually reconnected which I treasured and I have many fond memories. In addition to all the laughs and good times, she introduced me to Snickerdoodles which I still adore and use her recipe. She will always be warmly remembered. Audrey