Beatrice A. Smith
Beatrice Ann Smith, 78, of Eden peacefully entered eternal life on Monday, April 9, 2018 at her home. Beatrice was born in Fond du Lac County on July 23, 1939, the oldest child of Leo and Fern (Ziegert) Reilly and resided in the Town of Eden her entire life. She graduated from St. Mary Springs Academy in 1957.
On November 5, 1960 she married the love of her life, John R. “Jack” Smith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eden. They were blessed to celebrate 55 years of marriage.
Beatrice loved to work…first helping at home cleaning the house, next as a student, and then she was introduced to the world of insurance!
It was a match made in heaven.
In 1976 she founded her own business, Smith Insurance Agency, now known as Smith & Hatch Insurance Agency.
She loved to serve the people who needed insurance; she was sure to know their names and their extended family.
She was a loving and active member of Shepherd of the Hills Parish in Eden and was an integral part of the building committee for the church and school.
Bea believed that love meant action and she helped in countless ways to organize numerous church dinners, donations, and volunteers to assist both the school and parish.
She belonged to Catholic Order of Foresters, Eden Firemen’s Association, Ladies Altar Society, and Lion’s Club. Beatrice and Jack enjoyed traveling together and went on many cruises and other trips both in the United States and abroad. She enjoyed bowling, theatre, Danny O’Donnell, and playing cards with friends.
Beatsie was BIG on family. She left a great legacy of loving, giving, and caring; and she will be greatly missed. She was an inspiration to all and her generosity knew no bounds.
She is survived by her siblings Marlene (Robert H.) Hatch of Campbellsport, Richard Reilly of Fond du Lac, Joan (Bill) Buerger of Brownsville, and her Uncle Jim and Aunt Mickey Reilly. She is further survived by her in-laws: Dr. Rodney L. Smith, Dale Smith, Robert (Sharon) Smith, and Patricia Reilly. Her nieces and nephews: Robert L. (Tammy) Hatch, Bill (Laurie) Hatch, Carol (Mark) Damit, Cathy (Mark) Daniels, Steve (Lori) Reilly, Tom (Julie) Buerger, Tim (Karyn) Buerger, Mary (Tim) Lueck, Brian Reilly, Julie (Mike) Hewitt, Jodi (Tim) Kohlman, Dan Sitter, Corey (Kristie) Smith, Kevin (Kerry) Smith and Nichole (Brian) Berres and many great nieces and nephews. She was the BEST Aunt ever and she made a world of wishes come true. Her nieces and nephews were often told, “Everyone wishes they had an Aunt Beatrice.”
She will be deeply missed by all of her other relatives and friends.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her loving husband Jack, her parents, her in-laws Clarence and Frieda Smith, infant nephew Gary Reilly, niece Christine (Buerger) Sitter and great nephew Tommy Leo Reilly.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 14th at 10:30 AM at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church, W1562 County Road B, Eden. Rev. Mark Jones will officiate and family burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Eden.
Visitation will be Friday, April 13th from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Shepherd of the Hills and Saturday April 14th from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. An Irish celebration and luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Shepherd of the Hills Tuition Assistance, Sarnelli House in Thailand (Fr. Mike Shea), Agnesian Hospice Hope in Fond du Lac and Eden Lion’s Club. The family would like to thank her dedicated employees, Comfort Keepers, Hospice, and all those who provided care and socialization for Bea.
A very special thank you also goes to Jackie Kutz, her longtime caregiver and companion.
Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfurnerals.com.