Genevieve M. Smith

March 18, 1918 - Dec. 29, 2003

Genevieve M. Smith, 85, of Waukesha, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at Avalon Square. She was born March 18, 1918, in Oconto, to George and Stella (nee Whiting) Clayton.

As a young girl, she moved with her family to Waukesha, where she joined the First Presbyterian Church in 1929 and began attending Waukesha public schools. Following graduation, she studied at Miss Brown's Secretarial School in Milwaukee and secured an office position at Universal Milking Machines. In the throes of the Great Depression when unemployment was rampant, graduates were advised to work for a potential employer for two weeks without pay to prove their abilities. Miss Clayton followed this advice, surpassed expectations, and stayed with the company through World War II. Meanwhile, she met Lester C. Smith at Christian Endeavor (the young people's group), and they were married at First Presbyterian Church on Sept. 17, 1938.

Genevieve "Gen" continued to be active at First Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon and in numerous other capacities through the years. She was a PEO sister in Waukesha's Chapter AQ, a philanthropic and educational organization for women.

Gen was known for her kindness and affection. Her life was characterized by conviction, enthusiasm and a sense of fun. She balanced work and play, loved family vacations and was always learning. She saw the positive side of things and gave her best to her family and friends, placing their preferences and interests ahead of her own. She knew how to make a memory with a little tradition, a family word game, a private joke, a special recipe or a hidden love note.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Rosemary Smith of Wales; her son, Richard C. (Colette) Smith of Wauwatosa; her daughter, Eileen L. Zimmerman of Waukesha; her grandchildren, Pamela (Rick) Ratcliffe of Germantown, Stephanie (Rob) Bartelt of Skokie, Adam (Melanie) Smith of Seattle and Claire Smith of Wauwatosa; her great-grandchildren, Kaelyn, Rachel and Daniel Ratcliffe of Germantown; her sister, Billie Eaton of Sykesville, Md.; and sisters-in-law, Dorrie Clayton of Florida and Florence Smith of Waukesha. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester C. Smith; son, Donald C. Smith; and brother, Ellery Clayton.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, with the Rev. Frank A. Everett officiating. Visiting and refreshments will follow the service. Interment preceding the service at Prairie Home Cemetery.

In honor of Gen Smith, memorials to the charity of your choice are suggested.

For further information, call Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 547-4035, or visit online at www.randledablefuneralhome.com.