Rita Lorraine “Rory” Smith, 70, Inverness passed away June 27, 2017 at Hospice of Citrus and The Nature Coast in Lecanto, surrounded by love. Rory was born on June 26, 1947, in Staten Island, NY to the late Francis V. and Lorraine (Beagan) Nelson, the eldest of six siblings.
On August 13, 1966 she married her lifelong best friend and perfect partner, John G. Smith, Jr. In 1974 they moved their ever growing family to the area and made Inverness their home. She was a proud homemaker but her most important titles were wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, traveling and doing for others. She never met a stranger and was known to have a knack for feeding the masses. Her greatest pleasure in life came from time spent with family and the precious sound of laughter filling her happy home.
Left to cherish her memory and carry on her spirit of generosity are her 6 children: John G. (Kimberly) Smith, Sean T. (Tina) Smith, both of Inverness; Brendan F. Smith of Lakeland, FL, Stacey (Joe) Badger, Shannon Webb, and Meghan Smith, all of Inverness; 2 brothers, Sean (Beth) Nelson, Montgomery, NY and Eric (Susan) Nelson, Inverness; 3 sisters: Leslie (George) Covino and Deborah Nelson, both of Inverness and Kim Ronaldson, Montgomery, NY; 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Smith on Nov 23, 2003 and her son, Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 1979
A small family Catholic Prayer Service is scheduled for Friday, July 14, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Chas. E Davis Funeral Home with Crematory. The family will then convey her urn to Florida National Cemetery to be entombed with her late husband. The public is invited to a “Celebration of Life” gathering at the Badgers home, 3675 Placid Ave., Inverness Friday beginning at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Hospice of Citrus & The Nature Coast.
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