Carol Ann Zaenglein

Known for her sunny disposition, radiant smile, and beautiful porcelain-like features, Carol Ann Smith Zaenglein, a vivacious and elegant wife, mother, and grandmother, died surrounded by family and friends on February 19, after battling a rare form of brain cancer for over a year. She was born a third-generation Texan on May 21, 1946, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Dallas, to Mary Elizabeth and George A. Smith Jr., who founded Smith Alarm Systems, one of Dallas’s oldest family-owned companies. Carol Ann attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from Our Lady of Good Council in 1964, later known as Bishop Dunne. She began her undergraduate studies at Maryville College in St. Louis, Missouri, but transferred to SMU in Dallas, where she graduated with a degree in art history in 1968 and belonged to Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Carol Ann Smith married Jerry Kenchel of Dallas in 1968, and their son Josh was born in 1973. An interest in interior design then led Carol Ann to earn a degree from El Centro Community College, after which she became a member of ASID. A love of travel and an interest in antiques led to numerous buying trips to France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy, to purchase art works and furniture on behalf of her clients, other interior designer friends, and Intercity Investments of Dallas, where she served as a staff designer. In 1987 Carol Ann married David Zaenglein, an entrepreneur from Shreveport, who operated a business in the Virgin Islands and later relocated to Dallas. Carol Ann befriended and was beloved by all, known for her kind gestures, generous hospitality, and endearing thoughtfulness. For years she helped deliver Meals on Wheels to those Dallasites less fortunate than her. She loved being a member of the Dallas Museum of Art League and participating in the Bluffview Book and Garden Clubs. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, she also enjoyed following the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers and supporting SMU athletics. Carol Ann was famous among her large family and countless friends for the annual party she hosted every Christmas Eve with inimitable grace, style, and charm. She was also well known for her love of animals, and she indulged her Black Labs and pets with a twinkle in her eye and a winning smile. A wonderful wife, loving mother, supportive sister, cheerful aunt, and devoted grandmother known as Coco, Carol Ann is survived by her husband, David; her son Josh and his wife Jennifer and daughters, Emma and Stella; older brothers George A. Smith III and his wife Karla and Jim H. Smith and Stephanie; younger sisters Sally Matarranz and her husband Antonio; Martha Stafford; Betty Kerlick; brother and sister-in-law Curtis and Joanne Mewbourne; and sister-in-law Helen Miner and her late husband James. A rosary will be held Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest, and a Catholic Mass to celebrate Carol Ann’s life will be held on Thursday, February 25, at one o’clock at Christ the King Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to making a donation in Carol Ann’s memory to the SPCA, Meals on Wheels, or the Center for BrainHealth.