Irene Gertrude Smith

Beautiful, sweet, and loving, Irene G. Smith of Sparta, New Jersey passed away Friday, July 14, 2023 at Holly Manor Center in Mendham at the age of 99 years old. Her last words, spoken softly with her last breaths were, “I love you all. I am grateful. I am going to Heaven.”

Irene was born on June 16, 1924 in Primghar, Iowa to the late Dora (Peterson) and William F. Steuck. Irene graduated from Primghar High School and put herself through Spencer Business College in secretarial, accounting, and stenographer programs in Spencer, Iowa.

In 1946 she married James (Jim) Thornton Smith and became a US Air Force military wife. She applied her administrative skills to become an executive secretary to high-ranking officers, and was known for her ability to take critically accurate shorthand. In 1949 she became mother to Kent James Smith, and in 1952 to Keith William Smith. In her early life Irene loved to sew her own clothes—in this photograph from 1954, she made everything from the dress to the gloves.

Irene packed up and moved her family 32 times to places including Panama, California, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Japan, New York State and many smaller moves in between. She never complained, always focused on settling her family securely and safely. In 1964 Jim retired from the Air Force and the family returned to their home town of Long Beach, California, where Jim became a realtor and Irene became a property manager for their holdings and his brokerage. In 2000, Irene moved to Sparta, New Jersey to be with her granddaughters. She adored her role as grandmother.

Irene had a beautiful singing voice and sang solo and in choirs throughout her life. For 23 years Irene was a devoted member of the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newton, New Jersey where she sang in their choir. Her favorite song was “How Great Thou Art.”

Irene is survived by her devoted son, primary caretaker, Keith Smith and his wife Virginia of Andover, New Jersey, and their two daughters, Talia Marie Smith-Muller and her husband Ben Muller of Boston; and Chloe Irene Smith of Denver; and by her oldest son Kent Smith who spoke to her daily by phone for the last 13 years, and his husband Lawrence Savides of Portland, Oregon; her youngest sister Lorraine McCauley of Primghar, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her loving parents, husband, aunt Mary Peterson, and cherished siblings Frederick Steuck, Arnold Steuck, Norma Brinkert, and Ruth Nelson.

A memorial service will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Newton NJ or a charity of your choice. Condolences can be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.