Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joan B. Smith

March 3, 1918 - May 26, 2008

South Bend Tribune 5/28/2008
SOUTH BEND - Joan B. Smith, 90, went to her eternal home at 7:58 a.m. Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. Joan resided and made her home with her daughter, Bonnie Smith of Miller Road, South Bend, formerly of Fairington Apartments, South Bend, IN. She has been reunited with her husband, Joseph Gardette Smith of 55 years; beloved infant son, Glenn Joseph Smith; her parents, Harry and M. Florence Wright; a brother, Harold Pharoh; and adoptive mother, Ida Bowen. She was born Rozella Marie Wright on March 3, 1918, in South Bend, to Harry and Mary Florence (Parren) Wright. Her name was changed to Joan Bowen when she was adopted by Ida Bowen as a child. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Gwen (Barry) Ladd of Zionsville, IN, Bonnie (Louis) Smith of South Bend, IN; one brother, Robert (Jeannie) Fellows of Sturgis, MI; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her five adoring grandchildren, Dr. Alan (Tonya) Ladd of Zionsville, IN, Dr. Byron (Amy) Ladd of Midlothian, VA, April Ladd of Bloomington, IN, Christina Meiss of Granger, IN, and L. Scott Smith of South Bend, IN. Her precious great-grandchildren are Kassidy Meiss (her ice cream buddy who she called her Baby Doll) of Granger, Ben and Emma Ladd of Zionsville, IN, Audrea and George Ladd of Midlothian, VA. Joan retired from Wilson Brothers (Enro) as a sewing machine operator in the early 1970s. Joan was a 60-year-plus member of Grace United Methodist Church of South Bend. She loved playing her piano, working on her crafts, sewing, crocheting and knitting. She treasured her time working in her flower gardens, her violets, and every "sunny" day was a delight for her. And watching the birds thru the windows! A Special Thanks to all the kind and caring friends of Hospice and her caregivers, Judy, Guajardo, who so lovingly and kindly helped her and her family through the difficult disease of dementia.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 29, in Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend. Dr. Joseph Baunoch will officiate. Graveside services and burial will be at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services Thursday in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Smith may be made to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to Grace United Methodist Church.