Joanne Kathleen Smith

Joanne Kathleen Smith, passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2020. Joanne was born on November 27, 1937 in Chicago to Michael and Helen Anton. She attended Mercy Catholic High School in 1955 and then went on to attend the University of Chicago. Joanne married Bruce B. Smith and enjoyed 47 years of marriage and adventures. Joanne and Bruce were long-term residents of Valparaiso, IN prior to moving to Fishers, IN. They also spent time as snowbirds in their home in Lake Ashton, Florida. Joanne had a fulfilling career as a systems analyst at Inland Steel and remained tech savvy throughout her life. She would describe herself as independent, capable, a great problem-solver, a planner and a doer. After retiring from Inland Steel, Joanne and Bruce purchased a 26-foot motorhome and hit the road traveling throughout the Midwest with the Nomads – a Methodist Service Organization. They made numerous friends as they provided volunteer labor for those in need. Some of the projects included rebuilding in Homestead, Florida after hurricane Andrew, providing clothing for orphans in Mexico and helping with building projects at the Methodist Children’s Home. More recently, she was one of the first volunteers with Random Acts of Flowers, a not for profit organization that has provided over 100,000 floral arrangements to patients in the area hospitals, VA homes and nursing homes. During her childhood, her family made many trips from Chicago to the Dunes of Lake Michigan. A family home was built in Dune Acres and it was this home and the previous visits that fostered her love of the beach.

Joanne was a lover of the beach and Lake Michigan. Her fondest life memories revolved around family parties at the beach and sailing. Her favorite Holiday was the 4th of July – spent with family in the Lake Michigan sand. She also loved to garden, play bridge, bocce, pinochle, mahjong and samba with her Britton Falls neighbors and surprised many with her level 37 Pokémon Master Trainer achievement Joanne was an avid traveler – enjoying trips to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, China, Brazil and many, many destinations in the United States. Memories of her travels are displayed through magnets on her refrigerator and numerous photo albums. But she was the proudest of her family. Her love of her family was displayed with book shelves and walls covered with pictures of her parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her planner was always filled with birthdays, holidays, weddings, and everyday events with family. Nothing made her happier than time spent with the ones she loved. Although she is gone – she has left behind her loving family. Her children William (Gene Shapiro) Murray, Karen (Roger) Karmolinski, Kathleen (Tom) Durand, Judy (Rob) Kittridge and John (Judi) Lowery. Proud grandmother of Brandon (Rosalind) Murray, Elizabeth (Arturo) Alfaro, Richard (Jennie) Case, Lauren (Blake) Klinedinst, Madeleine Durand, Christian Durand, Claire Durand, Tyler Kittridge, Andrew (Claire) Kittridge, Johnathon (Jennifer) Jordan, Thomas (Madison) Lowery, Jaime (Robert) Unate-Martin, Chris (Missi) Smith and Kellie (Phil) Borth

Great-grandchildren William Gabriel Alfaro, Maria Cecilia Alfaro, Arthur Griffin Alfaro, Brandon William Murray, Jr., Isla Nicole Case, Samuel Richard Case, Lucia Mae Klinedinst and expected new baby Magdalena (Maggie) Rose Murray Also surviving are her loving sister Virginia Anton York, loving brother Michael Russell (Nancy) Anton, Jr., cousins Bob (Margaret) Gorman, Candace (Chris) Ross, Gregory (Marzena) Gorman, many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. And her treasured friends Mike, Carol, Tom, Beth, Jill and Katie Delisio. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Bruce B. Smith, her parents Michael Anton and Helen Anton, her brother Robert Anton, nephew Joesph York and son Steven Smith.

Friends and family are invited to gather beginning at 12:00 pm on Monday July 27, 2020 at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), where a funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nomads Group or to Random Acts of Flowers.