Elsie Ann Smith

Family

Elsie is survived by her daughters, Janet (Jan) Smith, Gayle Grant, and Wendy Goryl (Nick), as well as four grandchildren: Melissa (David), Keri, Connor, and Caitlyn. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren. Through her second husband, Alan Kunkle, she is survived by his children, Wayne Kunkle and Nancy Murphy (Bill), two grandchildren, Kelly (Dave) and Danny (Ashley), and four great-grandchildren. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Elsie B. Mann, her brother William Mann, her first husband Walter A. Smith, and her second husband Alan J. Kunkle.

Life and Service

Elsie devoted her life to serving and caring for others. In her later years, she was lovingly cared for by each of her three daughters. Throughout her life, Elsie was blessed in many ways and her life was full.

Early Life and Career

Born in Pennsylvania on January 17, 1929, Elsie graduated from Bryn Mawr Hospital’s School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1949. In 1951, she married Walter A. Smith. After the births of Janet and Gayle, the family moved to Miami, Florida, where Wendy was later born. Elsie became the neighborhood nurse, tending to children who were injured, administering medications and injections to neighbors, and even assisting a neighbor trapped under a car until emergency help arrived. Her love for children led her to a career as a teacher and, eventually, the director of Norland Methodist Pre-School. Known affectionately as “Miss Elsie,” she was famous for her collection of kindergarten songs, many of which her daughters and granddaughters still remember.

Later Years

Later in life, Elsie cared for her husband Walter during his illness with ALS. She also helped care for her granddaughters, Melissa and Keri, when she and Walter moved in with daughter Gayle. After Walter’s passing, Elsie joined Senior Partners in Pembroke Pines, where she found joy in social activities and making new friends, and where she eventually met Alan Kunkle. She also worked part-time in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood office of the Florida Attorney General and took many fun trips with her daughter Jan and best friend Millie. Elsie and Alan were married in 2006, sharing 14 years together filled with travel, welcoming new great-grandchildren, and enjoying the love of family and friends.

Remembrance

Elsie's life will be celebrated at a future date. She was a strong believer in charitable giving and would encourage her friends and family to honor her memory with donations to the charity of their choice.