Lee L. Smith's Obituary
Lee L. Smith, a long-time resident of Germantown, Tennessee, died peacefully in her home on Monday the 20th of December at the age of 71 years. Born in 1939 in Jackson Heights, New York to the parents of Dominic Lagana and Diane de la Parra Lagana. Lee attended Dumont High School in Dumont, N.J. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Caldwell College in 1963. She continued her education and received a Masters of Arts Degree in Library Science in 1980 from Seton Hall University. Lee married Peter A. Smith on June 22, 1963. She is survived by her husband, Peter, her children Jacqueline, Peter, Kathleen, and Michael. She is survived by her sisters Marie Demarest and Donna Cislak, and her brother-in-law Ralph Demarest. She has eight grandchildren, Emily, Julia, Peter, Jake, Dahlia, Viviana, Madyson, and Lyla. She has two son-in-laws Mark Heil and Jerry Getsos, and a daughter-in-law Holly Smith. She has five nieces Carole, Patti, Alicia, Jennifer, Kristin, and two nephews Randi and David. She also is survived by lifelong friend Margie Ercole. Her career included years of teaching English and Art at Dumont High School and Middle School in New Jersey. In Shelby county her career included Librarian of Holy Rosary, Vice Principal of St. Benedicts, Librarian Collierville Middle School. She also sponsored the Beta Club, Book Fair, and Peer Counseling at Collierville Middle School. Lee L. Smith has received numerous honors and awards, including Pi Delta Epsilon 1962, Xi Gamma Chapter of Kapa Delta Pi, 1980. She was actively involved in the church community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the following organizations: Vice President and Member, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Women’s Guild, Eucharistic Minister/Lector, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the Communication Commission on Parrish Council, Guild Chairperson of the Book Club (08/09), and Nominating Committee (08/09) Other community organizations included past president of the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) Women’s Guild, 20th Century Garden Club member, and Vice President of Memphis/Germantown Art League (MGAL). Lee was an accomplished artist and her artistic ability was recognized by numerous awards including the Star Artist in Germantown Art League. Wake and Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8151 Poplar Ave Germantown, TN 38138 and are as follows: Visitation: Sunday, December 26, 5-7 p.m. and Funeral Mass: Monday, December 27, 11 a.m. Reception to follow at the Church. A memorial fund will be established in her honor. There are Four Seasons: Marriage, Children, Teacher, Church. Always a Mother.
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