In the evening of October 9 th , 2024, LuAnn Smith passed away peacefully at Franciscan Hospital in Crawfordsville, Indiana. LuAnn, the youngest of six children, was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 8 th , 1953. She was preceded in death by her parents, George William Smith and Lavina Etna Smith, and by her siblings: Warren W. Smith, Donna L. Powell, Helen M. Marks, George Smith, and Robert L. Smith. She is survived by two daughters, Jessica Mohl and Charity Bost. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, among them are her beloved nieces, Rhonda Powell and Meagan Castellon-Powell, who filled her Pennsylvania days with love and new adventures. LuAnn was a good friend to her Pennsylvania neighbors as well as her new friends at Ben Hur Health and Rehabilitation.

LuAnn was a strong-willed and determined person. She had a mischievous, scandalous sense of humor and knew how to laugh- and she laughed loud. She was bold and spoke her thoughts and opinions unapologetically. Sometimes, it seemed as if she would be contrary simply to be contrary. She loved cigarettes and coffee, and savored dark chocolate and salty snacks. She was a true day-dreaming romantic who had an open heart that was sensitive to the smallest breeze, yet she could be as solid as steel if necessary. She grew more open and sensitive over the years, especially after moving to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she found a group of kindred friends with whom she could easily relate. At Ben Hur, she experienced a second breath of life. She befriended squirrels, and joyously belted out her favorite songs during karaoke (there was a "Bad moon rising" nearly every Friday during the summer). LuAnn also took on the self-appointed position of food critic in her last months, but that won't be elaborated on.

LuAnn loved flowers and was an avid gardener. At their peak, the flower beds she planted around her home bloomed from spring to autumn. Sweet peas, lilies, daffodils, hibiscus, and irises were among the stars in her garden. She grew and kept flowers, both real and artificial, inside and out. During summertime, she would drive around the dirtroads of Pennsylvania and pick armfuls of wild tiger lilies, filling several vases at home. She would also pick lilacs and daffodils in the springtime, and goldenrod in autumn. She was excellent at embroidery, and made many quilts, pillowcases and doilies. Her latest hobby and fascination was making diamond dots pictures. She loved history, nostalgic television shows, and most of all, the two p.m. soap opera General Hospital. The odd and mysterious captured her imagination, and it was always fun to chat with her about these things. She devoured podcasts and tv shows about the supernatural, adorable animals (especially monkey Bibi), and gardening. She loved dogs and cats and cared for many over the years.

She believed the most important role in her life was being a Mother, and she did an incredible job. During her life, LuAnn was a single mother who worked hard to ensure that her two daughters had a bright future full of possibilities. She cared deeply for other people and spent her working years as a Certified Nurse's Aide, assisting the elderly at a nursing home in Meadville, Pennsylvania. LuAnn was the epitome of sacrifice. She was a beautiful, multifaceted human being. Without trying, she taught those around her how to be stronger and appreciate what they have. She was a wild tiger lily. Her feisty, sensitive, and roaring spirit will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or the COPD Foundation. Feed your neighborhood squirrels. Remember to take a few minutes to recognize the effortless life-sustaining power of your own precious lungs and heart.