Glendora "Pat" Smith

May 19,1923 – April 25, 2012

We need, in love, to practice only this: letting each other go. For holding on comes easily; we do not need to learn it. Rainer Maria Rilke

Pat Smith was born to Edwin L and Eva Glendora Makepeace on May 19, 1923 in Newport, Rhode Island. Shortly after her birth, the Makepeace family moved to Niles, Michigan where she lived her childhood and teenage years. She did spend one year (1933) with her mother in San Antonio, Texas, helping to care for an uncle who had tuberculosis. Pat passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 following several years of struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. She went in peace with family members and caretakers at her side.

Pat was preceded in death by the love of her life, Donavon Francis “Don” Smith, whom she met during their high school years. They married in 1942 in Victoria, Texas on the day that he completed pilot training in the US Army Air Corps. Pat loved to say that Don got his wings in the morning and I clipped them that night!

Pat worked briefly at Bendix Aviation in South Bend, Indiana while Don was away during World War II. She then followed him to many places during his career in the Air Force including Arlington, VA, Orlando, FL, Selfridge, MI, [birthplace of daughter Patricia and son, Donavon, Jr.], Oscoda, MI, [birthplace of son, David], Selsey Bill, England (UK), Niagara Falls, NY, Colorado Springs, CO [birthplace of son, Michael], Chambley AFB, Chambley, France, Paris France, Tacoma, WA, Arlington / Alexandria, VA [birthplace of son, Peter], Sumpter, SC, Goldsboro, NC, Alexandria, VA, Anchorage, AK, Ismir, Turkey and San Antonio, TX.

Pat came to live in San Antonio, TX in July of 1973 when Don became ill with a brain tumor and had to retire. He died on September 10, 1974. Don is buried at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co.

Pat enjoyed many activities throughout her life. She was an avid reader and especially loved Agatha Christie and Perry Mason mysteries. She was a beautiful seamstress and the crafts she made always looked so very professionally done. Pat enjoyed playing bridge and mahjong. She was also an avid gardener and up until her early 80’s she would spend much of her time working in her yard and gardens. She enjoyed traveling around the country visiting and spending time with her children. Pat was a fiercely independent woman right up until the end of her life. She was very spunky and had a great sense of wit and humor. On one occasion, while being coaxed into the backseat of the car, she remarked, "It's okay. I can drive just as well from the backseat as I can from the front!"

Pat (also fondly known as Mouse, Glennie, MeMaw, Granny Mouse, Grandma) is survived by her five children: Patricia Jo Stevens (husband Robert-Midland, TX), Donavon Francis Smith, Jr. (wife Pamela Rustemier-Houston, TX), David Russell Smith (Ann Arbor, MI), Michael Lee Smith (wife Kathy-San Antonio, TX), and Peter Jonathon Smith (wife, Cecilia Young-Saline, MI); five grand children: Kristina Marie Stevens (Chicago), Rebecca Michelle Smith (San Antonio, TX), Savannah Rustemier Smith (Houston, TX), Colin Francis Smith, and Evan George Smith (Saline, MI). She leaves one great granddaughter, Natalie-Becker Stevens (Chicago, IL). Pat also leaves behind her precious Chihuahua, Tequila.

Special thanks and acknowledgement to those who helped to care for Pat in her last years including Isabel Moncivais, Cristina Carranza, Mary Chapa and Sandra L. Mann who were her daily caregivers. They were extraordinary women in their patient and loving care -giving. Thanks as well to Tom and Alma Shelton and Rosie and Jim Meeks who were her loving and caring friends to the very end.

A special thank you to Sandy Winningham, RN, Joan Bass, MSW and John Campbell, M. DIV, MS Chaplain from Hope Hospice who gave us the courage to give Mother a dignified and comfortable death. They were a tremendous support to the family.

The beautiful thoughts and prayers offered by Pat’s friends and relatives as well as friends of the family have helped greatly in this transition from life to death for her as well as the family.

A memorial service, celebration of life, will be held for Pat on Friday, May 4th at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.

Pat will be interred with her beloved husband, Donavon, at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado at a later date.

The family requests that In lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to

Hope Hospice

611 North Walnut Avenue

New Braunfels, TX 78130

Windcrest United Methodist Church

8101 Midcrown Drive

San Antonio, TX 78239

SAMMinistries

5254 Blanco Road

San Antonio, TX 782165254

Alzheimer’s Association

San Antonio & South Texas Service Area

7400 Louis Pasteur, Suite 200,

San Antonio, TX 78229

Correspondence with the family regarding Pat’s death may be directed to

Patricia Stevens

2207 Hughes St.

Midland, TX 79705