Jacqueline J. Smith (Slater), "Jackie" of Fredonia, N.Y., age 83, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility in Greenhurst, N.Y.
Born April 25, 1929, in Lakewood, Ohio, Jacqueline was the daughter of the late George W. and Matilda C. (Kemeny) Slater. She moved to the Fredonia area with her family as a child. Jacqueline attended Fredonia schools, graduating from Fredonia High School. Following high school, she attended and graduated from Elmira College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and then went on to Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she received a master's in art history. On June 20, 1953, she married her husband David G. Smith. He passed away in 1986.
Mrs. Smith was a longtime active member of the Fredonia Presbyterian Church. She was an elder, a deacon, a member of the choir, past-president of Presbyterian Women and a member of the Women's Circle 1. Jacqueline was a 40-year member of the Fredonia Shakespeare Club. Active in the Girl Scouts, she was a lifetime member of Girl Scouts USA. Locally in Chautauqua County, she was secretary of the Girl Scout board of directors, a Brownie Leader, Junior Leader and Neighborhood Chairman. Jacqueline was a lifelong knitter, having learned it at an early age from her grandmother. She knit her daughter Barbara a sweater every year for more than 50 years. Her handiwork won her many ribbons at the Chautauqua County Fair over the years. She enjoyed traveling and reading as she was never without a book.
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Jacqueline J. Smith (Slater)
As an extremely proud alumnae of her alma mater, Elmira College, she was delighted that she was able to attend her 60th class reunion last year.
Above all, Jacqueline had a passion for the arts as she was a longtime supporter and patron of the arts. She was an accomplished artist with paintings in homes as distant as California and Germany. She attended events of all kinds until her declining health made it impossible to do so. She also taught art classes at the Senior Center for many years.
As a supporter of the arts, she was active in various organizations over the years including: Adams Art Gallery, Cleveland Museum of Art, Burchfield Penny Art Center, Albright Art Gallery, and the Rockefeller Arts Center. Also the Fredonia Opera House, Friends of the Barker Library (as a member of the board of directors), Patterson Library Literary Circle, Fredonia Antique Society, the Fredonia Preservation Society, the A.A.U.W. and the Victorian Society of America.
Jacqueline is survived by her daughter Barbara A. (Steve) Lucariello of Sherman, her niece Tracy Baumbach (Chad) of Pacifica, Calif., and her nephew Mark Richard.
There is no prior visitation. A memorial service will be held at the Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 219 Central Ave. at a later date which will be announced. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia. Flowers gratefully declined.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Smith's memory may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701 (ccha@spcapets.com), the Darwin R. Barker Library, 7 Day St., Fredonia, NY 14063, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by David J. Dengler, Larson-Timko Funeral Home, Fredonia, 679-9000.