Tomasa “Tommie” Smith, age 95, passed away on May 30, 2019. She was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, on September 18, 1923.  Tommie came to Eureka in 1947 as a nurse with the Sisters of St. Joseph’s. She planned to return to her home country and become a nun until she met her late husband, Leroy “Smitty” Smith.  They married January 21, 1949 and went on to have three children: Leslie, Neal, & Lynn.

Tommie was a nurse for over 10 years. As a devout Catholic, her life was centered around family and her beloved St. Joseph and St. Bernard’s Parish. She enjoyed being active, walking nearly 3-5 miles every day until she was 89 years old. Tommie even picked up the sport of golf, later in life, with the Eureka Municipal Women’s Golf Club, where she often won the weekly putting competition. She golfed for over 20 years, but finally laid her clubs down at the age of 85! Tommie shared many fond memories with Smitty, a good cocktail and time with her friends at the Eureka Elks Lodge.

In 2013, Tommie moved to Murrieta, California to live with her daughter, Lynn Johnson; and son-in-law, Jim. After she moved, she enjoyed attending Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church until the end of her life. At the age of 93, Tommie traveled to Rome, Italy for the baptism of one of her great-grandchildren, Emilia Di Cesare, where she fulfilled her life’s dream and met Pope Francis. Until her passing, Tommie enjoyed family meals in the backyard, taking her daily walks with the dogs by her side and basking in the sun, surrounded by the singing birds and wind chimes.

Tommie was preceded in death by Leroy “Smitty” Smith (2002). Tommie is survived by her son, Neal Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Lynn & Jim Johnson; Susan Bones, former daughter-in-law (Astoria, Oregon); granddaughters: Jennifer Truitt (Redding, CA); Ashley and spouse, Andy Beckham (Nashville, Tennesee); Amy and spouse, Loreto Di Cesare (Murrieta, California); Julia Smith (Astoria, Oregon); Anna and spouse, Thor Anderson (Astoria, Oregon); grandson, Lance Smith (Redding); and great-grandchildren: Shelby, Layla, Lilly, Emilia, Xaria. Her caretakers, Juanita and Lynette, were true Angels of Mercy for Tommie. Special thanks to Gretchen Wright and Madeline Flynn of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Eucharistic Ministry and Father Ken Vu.

Viewing will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street, Eureka. Christian burial services will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Henderson & C Street, Eureka with a reception thereafter to be held at the KC Hall behind St. Bernard’s Church located at 615 H Street, Eureka.

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