Nita Smith

Born Nita Meredith Scheinhaus on May 2, 1922 in the Bronx. She grew up in New York, where she was employed as a secretary during World War II. In New York, she met Walker W. Smith returning home from the war. After a brief courtship, they married and moved to Topeka, Kansas, where Walker began a career in the legal profession. Together they lived in Russell and El Dorado, Kansas before moving to Texas in the late 1950's.

In Dallas, they raised a family, and lived most of their lives. Following Walker's death, Nita moved to Austin to be closer to her family whom she loved deeply. She lived in Austin more than 20 years, where she was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing tennis, piano, sewing and reading. She was active in the Assistance League of Austin, but most of all she loved spending time with her many friends and family, and the laughter they brought her.

Over the last few years, the insidious Alzheimer's disease took over. It eventually took her robust and active life away from her, but through all of this she smiled. Her gentle spirit and courage endured.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walker W. Smith, her parents Zeke and Molly Scheinhaus, and her oldest sister, Estelle Scherer. She is survived by her daughter, Meredith Smith Holden, her grandchildren, Chelsea, Joshua, and Kathryn Holden all of Austin, TX, along with her sister, Sunny Kahn, of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Nita's family would like to thank the exceptional caregivers at Colonial Gardens who treated Nita with sweet grace and dignity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on her behalf to The Helping Hand Home for Children, PO Box 149100, Austin, TX 78714 or to the Alzeheimer' s Disease Research at 22512 Gateway Center Drive,

P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD. 20871-1950 .