Nancy Smetts

Nancy Louise Smetts

Nancy Louise Smetts, of Cincinnati passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 under the compassionate care of Hospice. She was 96.

Nancy was born in Chicago, Illinois to J. Brock and Mildred B. Stewart on June 8, 1926. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Stanley Arthur, William A. Smetts and her oldest son, William A Smetts Jr. She is survived by her son, Stewart A. Smetts (Holly), her daughters; Katherine (Mark) Fueger, and Jean Strasser (George) Kachikis ;  grandchildren, Tracy (Ben) Rife, Jennifer (Brandon) Gay, Kelsey (Ted) Wabler, Tyler Smetts, Andrew (Oksana) Fueger, David Fueger, John (Stephanie) Fueger, Erin Strasser, Leah Strasser, Izzy and Skouly Kachikis; great grandchildren, Rylan Pipenger and Gaige Rife, Michael, Nicholas, Samuel, Jack, Owen, and Ben Smetts Fueger, Alexandria, Elizabeth and Victoria Wabler.

During WWII Nancy proudly served as a member of the Nurse Cadet Corps and suffered the loss of her first husband as a casualty on Okinawa.  After the war she married William A. Smetts, who had served as a pilot in the South Pacific.   They were blessed with 74 years of marriage until his death in September 2020.  A graduate of Ohio University, and a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, Nancy was an active Pi Beta Phi alumnus and for many years served as Province President in Ohio and Illinois and chartered an Alumni club in Florida.  She loved her volunteer work such as serving as a past president of the Montgomery Woman’s Club and focused her ambitions to improve the many communities she lived in while raising her family.

In addition to raising her children, Nancy and Bill enjoyed many years of retirement traveling and spending their winters in Stuart, Florida.  She loved entertaining, planning many creative theme parties involving clever costumes and props. She was always in search of an interesting recipe, read avidly, followed politics with a passion, and delighted in her children and grandchildren. Mom always wore a pleasant smile, a comforting demeanor, and reminded us that “this too shall pass…” as we faced life’s challenges.  She will be deeply missed.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Queen City Hospice for the compassionate care and dignity they provided mom during her declining health. A graveside funeral ceremony will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery - 171 S. Mason-Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH 45040 on Saturday, September 10, 2022 beginning at 11:00 AM.

Arrangements are being handled by Shorten Ryan Funeral Home, Mason, Ohio.