Jill Elaine Smith Obituary

Jill Elaine Smith, aged 77, entered into rest on September 29 in Chico, California after brief struggle with a severe illness. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Leslie Smith; daughters Suzanne Schulze and Laura Rosenquist and their four children; and two siblings, Janean Faux and Kevin Parmenter.

Jill was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 6, 1940 and moved to Tucson, Arizona with her family in 1955. She graduated from Tucson High School in 1958 and later attended the University of Arizona where she met her future husband, Les. After their marriage in Arizona, they moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where she completed her degree in education at Silver Lake College in 1963. She taught elementary school in Manitowoc for four years until the birth of their daughter, Suzanne. Shortly after the birth of their second daughter Laura, they moved to Northern California where she obtained her California teaching certificate and began teaching at Corning Elementary School District. She obtained an additional reading specialist credential from Chico State.
Jill taught in Corning for 29 years, retiring in 2004. After retiring, she became active in the community through her volunteer efforts with the Friends of the Library and the Corning Senior Center. Known for her quick wit and humor, Jill was an avid gardener, enjoyed the mountains and spending time in Mineral, and researching family history and genealogy. Jill was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A gathering of family and friends of Jill Smith will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home in Chico, California from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Memorials may be made to the charities of your choice. She will be laid to rest at Farrar Church in Maxwell, Iowa.