Noreen G. Smith

Noreen G. Smith, 76, of Mesa Arizona, passed away on Monday the 22nd of October, 2012.

Noreen was born on December 11, 1935 in Pensacola, Florida, daughter of the late Jean and Roger French Sr. Noreen graduated from Campbell High School in 1953 and received a double Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies and Communications from California State University, Fullerton in 1973. She was married to the late Robert Smith.

Noreen was an award winning Murder Mystery Author. Using the pen name of Noreen Gilpatrick, she authored three novels that were successively published by St. Martin Press and Warner Books. The Piano Man, Final Design, and Shadow of Death were a great source of pride and satisfaction for Noreen, whose lifelong love affair with writing became a dream-come-true with the publication of her books. The Piano Man went into five printings and won the first annual St. Martin’s Press 1990 “Malice Domestic” book contest. Noreen also felt the thrill of receiving a movie option for The Piano Man from Warner Brothers Studio. Although the book was never made into a movie, those who read it universally claim it is definitely “movie material”!

Noreen’s writing proclivity spanned all genres of writing from technical to television, free-lance, magazine pieces, public relations, advertising and educational writing. Her love of writing was matched by her love of reading; and her tastes, like her writing, veered towards murder mysteries, crime and espionage.

She was the mother of five children: Mike Gilpatrick and Sandi Reese of Dixon, CA; Linda Kurokawa of Escondido, CA; David Gilpatrick of Gilbert, AZ.; and the late Debra J. Gilpatrick. She is survived by twelve grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 10th at 2pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, Cemetery Garden Chapel, 6747 East Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85206, (480)830-4422. Please visit www.MariposaGardens.com to leave a tribute to Noreen.