Jeanne Louise Smith

The “Keep Kool Kid” passed at 94 on February 5, 2019. Born to Mary Alice & Paul Gerard Smith of New York, Jeanne made her debut May 5, 1924, rescheduling the opening night of her father’s Broadway Musical “Keep Kool”. Always independent, she tried to run away at 4 and found great company with her dog Junior & many books. Never marrying, Jeanne led a full life, working at the U.N., graduating from SUNY Geneseo in 1958 and teaching throughout Europe in the American Schools before returning to become Head Librarian at Xerox in Rochester, N.Y. Upon retirement in the late 1990’s, Jeanne moved to San Luis Obispo, closer to family. Here, she became an active volunteer as a docent for the Mission, with restoration of the Adobes & the Point San Luis Obispo Lighthouse, working on the SLO Chinatown archaeology project, organizing photos for the SLO Historical Society, delivering for Meals on Wheels & volunteering for Wood’s Humane Society.

Jeanne is survived by her sister Roberta Cole of Seattle, her brother Carl Smith of San Diego, two cousins and many nieces & nephews. She made a lasting impression and will be missed by family, friends and those she touched. “See you later Alligator..”

A memorial service is planned, Monday, March 4, 10AM at Mission San Luis Obispo followed by a celebration of life in the church hall.