Virginia Cook Smith

Virginia Cook Smith passed away at her home in Neptune Beach, FL in her sleep after a long illness on January 17, 2012. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lewis F. Smith; her sons Dave and Peter (Carrie Bagatell); daughter Nancy Dilley (Robert); 3 grandchildren Megan McDougal, Robert R. Dilley and Allen Smith; as well as 2 great-grandchildren Kaylee and Brendan McDougal.

Mrs. Smith was born Virginia DeBaun Cook in East Orange, NJ in 1917, graduated from Cornell University and married Lewis Frank Smith in 1941 on the eve of World War II. She and Lewis raised their family in Broomall, Pennsylvania; Marblehead, Massachusetts; and Niskayuna, New York. She loved gardening, nature and bird-watching; and she belonged to Longtime Newcomers of the Beaches, and numerous garden and book clubs. She was a lifelong reader. To her, learning was a means of becoming a better person. A devoted wife, mother and friend, she is especially remembered for her wise, giving and affectionate nature, and her devotion to her family.

A memorial reception will be held for her on Sunday, January 29 from 11am – 1pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her honor be made to Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257, 904-268-5200.