Pauline "Peanie" Smith

Pauline “Peanie” Smith, age 99, lovingly passed into the arms of God on September 9, 2023. She was born on December 6, 1923 in Fairfield County, Ohio, the daughter of Homer and Olive Todd. She attended Amanda Clearcreek High School, graduating in 1941. After graduation she landed her first job at the Farm Bureau in Columbus where she met Frank Bordner, a Columbus bus driver. When she would pay her bus fare on his bus, he would secretly give her back a portion of her fare. I believe that was his way of flirting. Their relationship grew and they were married in 1949. Two years later their son, Jeffrey Todd, was born. In 1953 they had their baby girl, Jeanne Rae. Their family was complete. Peanie was more than happy to be the central figure in the lives of her children. Anyone who knew them knew that she was a star in their eyes and that’s all that ever mattered to her. Peanie was a loving wife and mother and spent her time devoted to her family. On New Year’s Day 1959, Frank passed away from a massive heart attack. She vowed to make the best of it for her children. She took up babysitting full time. A gentleman that lived just two houses down from her phoned her one day and asked if she could pick him up at Columbus Airport as he had no way home. That was the start of a beautiful relationship between Peanie and Walter Smith. They married on September 3, 1960 and spent the next 55 years in marital bliss. Jeff and Jeanne gained another wonderful Dad. Peanie spent her life with an infectious smile and always willing to help anyone. She volunteered at Riverside Methodist Hospital for 39 years. She was the go-to person if any of the elderly people from her home church, St Luke’s United Methodist, needed a ride to church or to any appointments. Peanie was an avid OSU Buckeyes fan and never failed to have her Buckeyes flag hanging on the front porch during football games. Also a lover of the Cardinal bird, she was one to pass out small cardinal stickers to anyone she met. She was a believer of when she saw a Cardinal outside, someone from heaven was visiting her. After Walt’s retirement from General Motors, they spent a great amount of time traveling the USA, Canada and France. When her granddaughers were born, she became the ultimate Grandma, loving all three with so much love and pride. She was then blessed with her beautiful six great grandchildren whom she spoiled with the same love. Walt passed away in 2015 after battling dementia and Peanie was by his side every step of his journey.

Peanie is survived by her son Jeffrey Todd and partner Cathy Smith, Jeanne (Randy) Smith, granddaughters Katie (Brian) Williams, Kelli (Nathan) Jagger, Lauren (Jim) Salinas, great granddaughters Natalie and Brooke Jagger, Ava Salinas and great grandsons Collin and Justin Williams and Dominick Salinas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Dayton, Harold and Chuck Todd, sisters Mary Etta Griffith, Katherine Burnside and Barbara Lama.

The family asks that if you wish to make a donation in Peanie’s honor, it be made to the Honor Flight of Columbus, P.O. Box 12036, Columbus, OH 43212.

A celebration of Peanie’s life will be held at a later date.

Fly high red bird!