Eileen M. Smith

Memorial services for Eileen M. “Sis” (Szarka) Smith will be held at 4:30 PM on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home in Willoughby. The Reverend James S. Porostosky will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 3-4:30 PM on Sunday, prior to the service.

Born July 16, 1953 in Cleveland, Eileen passed peacefully at home after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was surrounded by those she loved the most; her family and long-time friends.

A Navy wife, Eileen, her husband and children spent several years traveling and living throughout the United States and around the world. Eileen’s travels resulted in a rich and full life filled with wonder and treasured memories.

Eileen and James, her husband, returned home 10 years ago and settled in Euclid. Ever busy, Eileen became a Health Aide for the Eastlake-Willoughby School System. Eileen was also a member of the Order of Rainbow Girls. Eileen’s love and appreciation for others including the small joys and miracles life shows to us all, but only a gifted few actually see, like flowers, children, cutting the grass, or simply having a cup of tea on her porch, were witness to her kindness and quiet dignity.

Eileen also loved to have fun. She loved music and dancing, feeding the fish at the Pymatuning Spillway, sunrises, sunsets, time spent at the beach, letting her hair down while driving in a convertible, Playhouse Square, and Downtown. While Eileen did truly enjoy these things, they were small compared to her love of family. She was a loving, caring and devoted Wife and Mother. Eileen was also one of those “Special” kinds of Grandmas whose gentle nurturing ways and comforting love, commitment and affection live forever in the hearts of their grandchildren. Eileen was a true friend to everyone she would meet, one to be trusted, and a woman to be admired. She will be mourned and missed by all who knew her.

Eileen is survived by her husband of 43 years, James, “Snuff”; her children, Liza Smith, (Steve Ostrowski), Caroline (Brian) McIntyre, and Timothy (Leona) Smith; grandchildren, Breanna, Chelsey, Austin, Chloe and Deacon Smith and great grandson Grayson; siblings, Mary (Dave) Dula, George and Michael Szarka; her mother, Eileen Szarka, and several nieces, nephews and their families including four sisters-in-law.

Eileen was preceded in death by her Father, George Szarka Sr.

The family suggests that contributions be made to The Gathering Place. 23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood, OH 44122, or to Hospice of the Western Reserve 17876 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, OH 44110.