Helen J Smith

Helen "Jean" Bruce Smith of Panama City Beach, Florida, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018, four days prior to her 96th birthday, at Sims Veterans Home. Jean was born July 19, 1922 to Robert and Teresa Katherine Bruce in Marquette, Michigan. She graduated from Bishop Baraga Catholic School and attended Northern Michigan University until enlisting in the United States Navy. She proudly served her country as a WAVE during WWII, stationed at Hunter College in New York City. While attending Northern, she met her future husband Robert M. Smith. After the war, Robert, a USAF pilot, and Jean married. Together they raised four children and owned a business in Owosso, Michigan. Jean was an adamant bridge player and golfer. She and Bob were active in Michigan politics, serving as delegates at state GOP conventions. Jean and Bob retired to Panama City Beach in 1979. Throughout Jean's life she remained a committed Catholic Christian, modeling for her family and friends the peace found through an unfailing faith in Christ. This faith was manifested in her devotion to her grandchildren, and children everywhere. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her parents, Robert and Teresa Katherine, her siblings, Bob Bruce, Margaret Mantyh, and Mary Sheperd. She is survived by her children, Lawrence (Christine) Smith, Katherine (Thomas) Janego, Paul (Song-O) Smith, and Nancy (Mandeville, III) Smith, grandchildren, Ian Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Zina Mussmann, Jon Janego, Robert H. Smith, Brian Janego, Mary Anne Dunham, Mandeville Smith, IV, Matt Janego, and Keriann Smith. Jean has 6 great grandchildren. The mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, Panama City, on August 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Panama City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sims Veterans Home. The family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff of Sims Veterans Home, Fr. Anthony Nguyen, and the Eucharistic Ministers who administered the sacrament of Holy Communion to Mom during her confinement.

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