Jeanette Evelyn Smith was born in Rockdale, IN on Dec. 21, 1918, and entered eternal rest in her heavenly home in her sleep at her home in Albuquerque, NM on Oct. 1, 2024, with her daughter, Linda, by her side. Jeanette’s funeral will take place on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at 2 p.m. at French Funerals, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112.
During her more than 105 years, Jeanette touched the hearts of so many, whether it be a kind gesture or word; a pie or home-cooked meal; or by playing a variety of card games into the wee hours of the evening. Jeanette was one of a kind and full of surprises.
Originally from Harrison, OH, Jeanette was the youngest of four siblings born to her parents, Amos Arthur Lowe and Eleanor Mae (Hueck) Lowe. Lloyd Lowe (Norma), Ross Lowe (Thelma) and Doris Lowe, all preceded Jeanette in death. Jeanette attended Whitewater Grammar School and graduated from Whitewater High School. She met, fell in love with, and married her husband, Wilbur H. Smith, who preceded Jeanette in death. Jeanette and Wilbur were married for 64 years.
A pioneer for her time, Jeanette spent her career in the financial industry working for the Harrison (OH) Building and Loan. This was especially impressive as many women at the time were not working out of the home, let alone in a field dominated by men. But that was Jeanette’s way: never settling.
Jeanette made everyone feel like they were her best friend, prioritized her relationship with God—attending weekly church services even after turning 100 years old—and always put her family first. And how Jeanette loved to cook, especially baking. Her home was always filled with incredible smells of the various cookies, cakes, pies, and fudge that truly made Jeanette famous to anyone lucky enough to be invited or whom the treats were delivered. She continued to bake well into her eighties and never lost a step.
Upon retiring, Jeanette and Wilbur immediately moved from Ohio to Bosque Farms, NM to be closer to their daughter, Linda, her husband, John, who preceded Jeanette in death, and her grandson, Matt. That’s when the adventures began. She and Wilbur loved to travel, particularly road trips. They would pack up their minivan with suitcases and coolers and headed out across the country. When not traveling back to Ohio to visit friends and family, some of their favorite places to visit included Sedona, AZ and Laughlin, NV, up the coast of California, and of course they traveled all over New Mexico, taking in the architecture and culture that was so common here but so foreign to someone from the Midwest. Jeanette and Wilbur opened their home many, many times to friends and family from Ohio.
Jeanette was a big sports fan. From tossing a baseball around with her grandson, Matt, in the backyard to water skiing well into her seventies and watching any game or match that she could find on TV. But her passion was watching the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team. Together with her family, she would enjoy her perch on the mezzanine level of The Pit—the world-famous arena the Lobos play in. Jeanette enjoyed season tickets for many years and was there for all the great games and probably cheered even louder for her boys during some of those not-so-great years. She took to Lobos basketball like a fish to water, probably due to her origins in Indiana.
Doting wife. Attentive mother. Devoted grandmother and great grandmother. Loyal friend. These are just a few words to describe a woman known famously to anyone who met her as “Grandma.” She wore that badge of honor proudly and was fiercely proud of her grandson only to have that love overshadowed when her great granddaughter, Soren was born. And Soren is forever blessed to have the memories of that special relationship with her. Jeanette also leaves behind special friends, Norma and Jack Salzman of Harrison, OH.
Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Linda (Smith) Rader; grandson, Matt Rader, granddaughter-in-law, Megan (Caffrey) Rader, and the light of her eye, her great granddaughter, Soren Rader, all of whom loved her through her final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that contributions be made to Asbury United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM https://asburyabq.org/ or Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, NM https://www.rrfb.org/give/give-funds/giving-societies/
Friday, November 15, 2024
2:15 - 3:15 pm (Mountain time)
Lomas & Eubank Funeral Home
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