Sue was born May 26, 1934 in Kansas City, MO to John K. Caldwell M.D. and Ruth Conkling Caldwell.
She graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO in 1952. Sue attended Kansas State University, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and met her future husband, Hubert Smith, a dashing young Navy pilot. (He arranged a party with his fraternity and her sorority so that he could meet her.) They married in 1954 in Kansas City, MO. She put a pause on her education while she and “Bunky” raised their four children. Sue returned to college and received her Bachelor of Social Work from Avila College in 1980. She first worked at Clinicare home health in Kansas City, KS and returned to earn her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 1989. She then worked at Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, KS until her retirement.
Sue loved spending time with her family and friends. She was very involved in her church, Southminster Presbyterian, for 58 years. Sue enjoyed traveling, especially to Ocean City, NJ with her children and grandchildren, continuing her own family’s tradition from her childhood. Other favorite destinations were the Kansas and Missouri State Fairs as well as numerous day trips with son Hugh, and family trips in the US and Europe. She actively served as a volunteer with the church, community/kids school activities and for a time, transcribing books into Braille. She loved gardening and cooking and trying out new recipes.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband Hubert in 1992, and her twin sister Nancy Caldwell Sorel in 2015. She is survived by her sister Virginia Craig of Leawood, KS, her children Kenneth Smith (Catherine) of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Gregory Smith of Shrewsbury NJ, Hugh Smith of Lenexa, KS and Sarah McGowan (Michael) of Lenexa, KS, grandchildren Eric and Katherine, Linnea and Annika, and Kayla and Erika (and their mother, Chaya Schneider) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 12 at 1pm at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave, Prairie Village, KS 66208. A reception at the church will follow.
The family would like to thank the staff of Saint Luke’s Hospice and Brookdale Shawnee for their kindness and care of Sue. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Sue’s name to Southminster Presbyterian Church or to Saint Luke’s Hospice, 3516 Summit, Kansas City, MO 64111. Online condolences to www.mtmoriah.net.
