Elaine Smith

On July 27, 2018 Elaine Mary Smith finished her earthly duties and earned her wings. Known affectionately as “Me-Ma” by all of her beloved family, her love and kindness have made the world a gentler place for the past 91 years. Me-Ma spent most of the first 70 years of her life residing in Hillside, NJ, where she grew up and lived in the home she was born in. Her early years were spent there with her loving grandparents, Mary & Theodore Beyer. During WWII, at the suggestion of a friend, she became pen-pals with a cute guy in the Marines stationed overseas, Ed Smith. (Who would much later be named, “Pa-Pa” by their grandchildren.) Upon his return home from the war, the two began dating and were married shortly after on June 14, 1947. For a short time they lived in Irvington but then returned back to Me-Ma’s childhood home, where they raised their family. For the past 20 years Me-Ma has lived in Colts Neck, NJ. Me-Ma worked hard as an employee at Bristol Meyers, Shering, The Diamond Institute for Infertility, and a few private doctors’ offices over the years. Thanksgiving was always hosted at their home, where she’d prepare a huge meal and set up a special little table for the kids. Summer barbecues were hosted in their back yard, which is also where she enjoyed planting flowers and tomato plants (but did not like finding worms.) She sewed handmade clothes and stuffed animals for her grandchildren and was the best at kissing boo-boos on little knees. She learned and loved to write calligraphy, sketch pretty flowers and little birds, and paint with watercolors. Daisies were her favorite flowers and pecan pie was her dessert of choice. She enjoyed watching the birds and little animals outside her window. She loved seeing the first of the autumn leaves changing color and watching the snow fall in winter. Christmas was her favorite time of year and decorating her tree made her heart happy. While living in Hillside she attended Calvary Lutheran Church, and later when she moved to Colts Neck she attended Luther Memorial Church in Tinton Falls, where she was a member of the Crafty Christians. Me-Ma’s faith was strong but she wouldn’t hesitate to tell you, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is that you’re a good person.” She had an opened mind, was accepting of everyone and always gave people the benefit of the doubt. She forgave quickly, loved deeply, and appreciated every moment of her life. Me-Ma’s love, kindness and spirit continue to live on in all those that knew her, especially: her two daughters and their spouses, Jean (and Lenny) Urban and Bonnie Smith (and Joe Carroll), her grandchildren, Jean Elaine Jupa, Joshua Disotell, Timothy Disotell, and Christine Urban, her great-grandchildren, Raine, Chase, Tage, Alex and Aleya, and her beautiful oversized cat, Ollie. Her flight from this Earth was preceded by that of her loving husband of 51 years, Edward Joseph Smith, her beloved grandparents, Mary Josephine (Barnewell) & Theodore Joseph Beyer, her kind-hearted uncle, Tom Beyer, her sister who was just a young child, Jeanne Chiffian, and her other oversized beloved cat, Theo. A small service will be held at the Bongarzone Funeral Home at 2400 Shafto Road in Tinton Falls on Friday, August 3rd at 9:30 am, followed by a small gravesite service for family only at the St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Marine Corps League, West Hudson Detachment, 286 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, NJ 07032 or Luther Memorial Church, 818 Tinton Ave., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724.

Elaine Smith

March 10, 1927 - July 27, 2018