Jennifer Jaye Smith

Jennifer Jaye “Jenney” “Jen” “JJ” “Seb” “Gert” “Mama” Smith passed away unexpectedly at the age of 56 on January 14, 2025, in her Austin, TX, home. Jenney was born on July 3, 1968, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, beloved daughter of Diane Mitrisin-Maher and John Richard (Jack) Smith.

Jenney attended San Antonio, TX, schools: Randolph AFB Elementary, Hobby Middle School, and graduated from Clark High School in 1986. She studied Medieval History & International Business at The University of Texas at San Antonio then transferred to Denver University & Bel-Rea Institute where she earned an AAS in Animal Science & RVN degree. She earned her Master Groomer certification in Houston, TX.

An innovative entrepreneur, Jenney developed, owned, and operated her very successful, mobile pet grooming business, GO MOBILE PET GROOMING in the Houston area. She was a true master of her craft, well known and highly respected in the Bay Area.

Jenney was an animal lover! Through the years she had cats, dogs, gerbils, rats, snakes, birds, tarantulas, spiders, turtles, iguanas, and aquariums filled with fish from all over the world! She was an avid reader, accomplished painter, gourmet cook, lover of music, student of languages and anthropology, and juried photographer. She loved history, ancient and medieval… always “working” on a novel about time travel.

Jenney was preceded in death by her beloved (paternal grandfather) “Grandpa Rube,” Ruby Edward Smith, Oskaloosa, Iowa, beloved (paternal grandmother) "Grandma Ro", Rosemary J. Hess, Oskaloosa, Iowa, beloved (maternal grandmother) “Grandma Betty,” Betty Mitrisin Amber, Oskaloosa, Iowa, beloved (maternal grandfather) “Grandpa Rabbit,” Delbert Joseph Mitrisin, beloved “Pops” (stepfather) James W. Maher, Houston, TX, (stepmother) Sandra Kay Smith, Forest City, Iowa. She is survived by her most beloved daughter and sunshine, “Beeps,” Eleanor Jayne Diane Smith of Houston, TX, loving parents, Diane Mitrisin-Maher, Houston, TX, and Jack Smith, Forest City, Iowa, and brother, Nicholas Smith of Forest City, Iowa.

Jenney will be fondly remembered by her stepsister, Jamie Maher Stubson, San Francisco, CA, stepbrother, Ryan Maher, Dunedin, FL, Iowa stepsisters: Laurie David, Lisa Carlsen, and Amy Stanek, Aunts: Judy Smith Monahan, Angie Mitrisin Marshall, Elizabeth Mitrisin Fischinger, and beloved “Uncle Poley,” Paul Mitrisin. Jenney’s adventurous spirit has touched nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

We are reminded of Jenney’s spirit in the following quotes:

"The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals." – Kahlil Gibran

"She doth teach the torches to burn bright!" – Wm. Shakespeare

"Never stop learning because life never stops teaching." – Albert Einstein

Jenney, may your spirit soar high! It will be with us… always! ~ Muti

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jennifer's memory may be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/