Lois Tornquist Smith

Lois Tornquist Smith earned her wings on December 28, 2020, two weeks after her 90th birthday. She died at home after a short battle with cancer. Lois was born and raised in Elmhurst, IL with her brother John. She attended Monmouth College, where she met her future husband Donovan Smith. They were married for 65 years until his death in 2017.

In 1968 Lois founded and then directed and taught preschool at Millian UMC in Rockville and continued working there for 25 years. She also had a 40 year career as a quilter, instructor, judge and friend in the fabric arts field, in which she authored two books, taught locally and internationally, and won numerous awards. She was a member of Nimble Fingers and Uncommon Threads, and dyed her own fabrics with friends.

Lois made and kept many friends in her long life. When asked if she had a good life she always replied:

‘Better than Good’. She was a member of the same bridge club for 65 years, playing until last month. Lois loved her second home on Chincoteague Island. Recently she enjoyed trying new restaurants, cooking, entertaining family, opera, poetry, puzzles and owls with her longtime friend Jerry.

Lois is survived by her 7 children: Andrew (Vera), Danford (Kim), Kristen Curling (Carl), Jeffrey (Terri), Edwin (Deborah), Steven, and Phillip (Anne), 10 grandchildren, her brother John Tornquist, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. The family would like to acknowledge the loving support from the Page family, JSSA Hospice, the Inter Faith Chapel, and Lois’s many friends in the fabric arts community.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Lois desired that you be kind to one another, believe in yourself and push yourself beyond your boundaries to live life ‘Better than Good.’ A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.