Barbara Mae "Nan" Smith

Barbara Mae Smith (Nan), age 85, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019. Born in Albany, NY on December 20, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Emily (Stonier) Tear. Barbara made her career as a receptionist for J.A. Pyne, DDS. Barbara (Nan) was kind, compassionate and unwavering in her support of family and friends. To Barbara, her job wasn’t work. She enjoyed the group she worked with at Dr. Pyne’s office and considered them her extended family. In her limited free time, Barbara enjoyed walks at Delcastle Park, shopping at Christiana Mall, shopping on QVC, playing the occasional game of cards and losing in Checkers to her grandson, Michael. Barbara also enjoyed watching Golden Girls, I Love Lucy and Two and a Half Men. Barbara didn’t have the luxury of her “golden” years. After the death of her daughters, Barbara was thrust back into the world of parent and caretaker. Her time was spent taking her grandsons to school, beach, waterpark, sports practices, choir, volunteer activities and school plays. Barbara taught everyone how to have a heart for service. With her limited time and resources, Barbara volunteered with her grandsons at numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the State of Delaware to support causes close to the hearts of friends, family and church members. In her later years, Barbara enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and their families. She enjoyed a small hot coffee with cream and sugar from Dunkin Donuts, watching her great grandchildren play, Applebees’ dates with her granddaughter-in-law, surprise flowers from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, visits to talk about life and current events and spending time with volunteers from Lori’s Hands. Her smile, sense of humor, spunk and sassiness will be missed. She filled everyone’s hearts with joy and could always make people laugh. Her kind and giving spirit will be deeply missed. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas R. Smith, Sr.; daughters, Gail Robinson and Jill Smith; son, Thomas R. Smith, Jr.; and siblings, Peter L. Tear, Vivian Mallon and Irene Blankenburg. She is survived by her sister, Winifred (Jinx) Vadala; and grandchildren, Aaron and Jon Robinson, Thomas Stansell and Michael Smith. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 pm until 1 pm on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at St. James Episcopal Church, 2106 St. James Church Road, Wilmington, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 1 pm. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to St. James Episcopal Church, at the address listed above.

Barbara Mae "Nan" Smith

December 20, 1933 - October 24, 2019