Jurnine Juliette Smithson was an only child of Filipino descent born February 4, 1948 to Josephine Cecilia Lazo and Ernesto L. Lazo in Imperial Valley, California. They moved to San Diego in the 50’s and bought their brand new home in San Carlos, a subsidy of San Diego. One of the few minorities to attend Our Lady of Grace then moved onto Our Lady of Peace all girls high school on scholarship. She was a member of the volleyball team, cheer team, and an academic leader. She was a devout Catholic and made lifelong sisters while attending her schools.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years Frederick Roy Smithson, her loyal companion/protector Lady; her daughters Micheline Grimm, husband John Grimm, Grandchildren Samantha Grimm, Dominick Grimm, Anthony Grimm and Gianni Grimm; Monique Casanova, husband Robert Casanova, Sarge her foot warmer and crumb catcher.
She met “Roy” at Parkway Bowl that was also a popular dance hall in the 1960’s. He caught her eye because he had danced as legendary as James Brown. He could even do the splits! They danced for 50+ more years.
Jurnine’s career started at the El Cajon Police Department then onto San Diego State University in the late 70’s. She started at Admissions & Records then on to Advising. Scoring in the advanced area of an IQ test, she later became the Head Administrative Assistant for the School of Speech Communication. She loved art, fitness, and fashion. She always wanted to be “up to date” in her wardrobe and even took part in a fashion show on campus with her daughters.
At the age of 32, she decided to become a certified Fitness Instructor. Employed by Family Fitness Centers, The Woman’s Club, YMCA, Shirley Sports Center (UCSD), and SDSU Adult Recreation Center (ARC) challenging colleagues in her notable Spin Classes. She was known as “Legs,” on the SDSU campus. She emulated the infamous Tina Turner. She competed in fitness classes, ran a marathon and several half marathons, and green belted in Tang Soo Do, a martial art of Korean Karate.
She retired from SDSU after 25 years. She then moved to Menifee, California to her brand new home into a 55 or better gated community. Her youthful appearance tended to be a reoccurring theme, where she was often mistaken for being married to an older husband. She made her return to teach classes inside her community and a local LA Fitness because her 4-5 mile walks became too regular for her. She would often start her mornings with, “I walked gate to gate.” The club eventually asked her to retire as she was “Too challenging for the older folks.” She participated in chair volleyball and would often say “BORING” because it was not competitive enough for her.
In her late 50’s she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Underwent a mastectomy and powered through. She kept on walking, exercising and dancing throughout the cancer determined to fight.
In her 60’s she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/Dementia but that never kept her down. Roy would take her to many social functions at the community club and she would love to dance all night. She continued to walk and ride her bike and enjoy the fitness gym. She continued to dance whenever music was present. It didn’t matter where it was…a grocery store, a Rubio’s bathroom, a family function or just simply in the car. Riding in the car became her favorite thing and she was VERY aware of other drivers. She would make comments as if other drivers could hear her as most of us do.
May 1, 2018 she suffered from a major stroke caused by Vascular Dementia paralyzing the right side of her body, but because of her physical health and competitive nature, she decided that it was not going to keep her down. With assistance got up and walked just several days later. She continued therapy and regained most of her mobility. The therapists could not believe what was happening and said, “Never in our careers have we seen anyone come out of this so quick!” They said her muscle memory and fitness were a major contribution to her incredible recovery.
In 2018, Jurnine moved back to her childhood neighborhood and then back into her childhood home in 2019 with her husband “Roy Boy” to be closer to their family. Her youngest daughter Monique and son in law Bobby along with grandson Dominick built an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU on the property to help take care of her. They enjoyed their time with her up until the night before she passed. She laughed and giggled and danced of course.
June 22, 2020 Jurnine took her last breath in the home she grew up in.
A private ceremony will take place on June 30th at the request of her grandchildren and sons-in-law so they can see the Dancing Queen one last time.
If you would like to honor our beautiful mother please crank up some Motown music and dance to your heart’s content!
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