Sandra Laszewski Smith

Sandra (Sandie) Louise Smith (Laszewski), 80, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026. Born on May 25, 1945, in Johnson City, NY, Sandie was raised in Endwell, NY, where she developed the kindness and grace she shared with the world throughout her life.

Sandie dedicated her career to the growth and care of children. She served as a Teacher Assistant for the Wake County Public School System for 20 years at Jeffrey’s Grove Elementary School, and later shared her heart as a Nursery and Preschool Teacher at Creedmoor Road Baptist Church Preschool. She had a rare gift for connecting with young lives; children were naturally drawn to her warmth, and she felt a deep, lifelong calling to nurture them.

An aspiring artist, Sandie loved to paint and create. She had a keen eye for finding beauty in the unassuming details of nature that others often passed by. Whether she was arranging her Daylilies or spending time with her Book Club and Red Hat Ladies, she brought a creative spirit to everything she did.

While Sandie was a homebody at heart, she embraced the adventurous spirit of her family. This included living in England for a year while on assignment and traveling to many far-off countries. Though she experienced diverse cultures and cuisines across Europe, Russia and North America, her favorite trips were to the Grand Canyon and Alaska. Despite her many travels, she was always happiest when she returned to the comfort of her own home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Mary Laszewski, and her siblings, Donald Laszewski, Eugene Laszewski, and Mary Lee Laszewski.

Sandie’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Raymond L. Smith, Jr.; her three children and their families: Raymond L. Smith III (Margaret) of Cary, NC, Edward Smith of Sanford, NC, and Karen Starogiannis (Tommy) of Wake Forest, NC. Her legacy also lives on through her four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Stewart Health Center at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Center and Transitions LifeCare for the exceptional care and compassion extended to Sandie in her final days. Additionally, the family is extremely grateful for the care and support provided by Sandie’s church family at St. Paul’s Christian Church in Raleigh, NC, where she was a member for more than 55 years.

Service Information: Family and friends are invited to celebrate Sandie’s life on Tuesday, March 31, at 2:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm, with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park (7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to St Paul’s Christian Church.

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