Patricia V. Smith

Patricia V. Smith (nee Cibelli) passed away peacefully at the age of 92 at her home in Hazlet, NJ on Friday, May 5, 2023. Pat, affectionately known as Mama, was born Patricia Victoria Cibelli on March 17, 1931 in Grant City, Staten Island. She was one of seven children born to Fred and Teresa (Tess) Cibelli (nee Masterpaolo). She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joseph A. Smith, a sister, Marie Buttacavoli (Albert), four brothers - Fred (Jean), Emmanuele (Bobby) (Grace), Anthony (Jean), Frank, Lucille, a son in law, Louis J. Padavano, and a granddaughter, Tess Smith. Pat is survived by her two loving children, Joseph V. Smith and Patricia A. Padavano, a sister in law, Anne Buttacavoli, five grandchildren, Gregory Padavano (Lisa), Teresa McNamara (Brian), Sarah Lupo (Michael), Louis Padavano (fiancé Elena) and Joseph Padavano, seven great grandchildren - Michael John Lupo, Jesse Padavano, Jack Lupo, Antonio Padavano, Giuliana Lupo, Luciana Lupo and Jordan McNamara along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins and her adoring dog, Hunter.

Pat began her life on Hamden Avenue in Grant City where she attended St. Christopher’s Elementary School and New Dorp High School. She met her husband, Joe, in 1948 at a Sadie Hawkins dance at the Grant City Social Club and they married on October 1, 1950. The Smith’s settled their family on Summit Avenue where they made lifelong friends like Charlie and Doris Murphy and Billy and Bea Smith. Pat & Joe were entrepreneurs, owning an arcade at South Beach Amusements in the early 50s, followed by a dry cleaner and jewelry business. Pat’s career continued as a school crossing guard in the late 1950s. She then moved on to retailer Corvettes and finally, her home away from home, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles where she worked until her retirement. It was there where Mama truly left her mark - beginning with conducting road tests to working in one of the infamous DMV “cages”. She loved her time there and made friends along the way who have truly become family like the Curci’s and the Lomma’s, to name just a few. Pat served with honor on the American Legion Auxiliary. She and Joe moved to Great Kills in 1989 and were devoted parishioners of St. Clare Church where she would relish her “front row” seat at mass and built relationships with so many members of the clergy, staff and congregation. She, her son and her daughter recently moved to Hazlet, NJ this past September. Pat was a wealth of knowledge and advice - from family affairs, to cooking, to driving, to how to bet the ponies at Monmouth Park - there was nothing she couldn’t speak on and no story she couldn’t make entertaining. Pat’s memory was a treasure trove and she would regale her family and friends - both young and old - with her experiences up until the day of her death. Mama mastered the iPhone at 80 years old and would never forget to make a call or send a card - even in her later years, you could always count on hearing from Aunt Pat. She had a unique gift for making you feel like you were special, important and loved. Nothing made Mama beam with pride more than her family. She enjoyed simply spending time with them, whether at home over Rumikub, down the shore or in the Poconos. She was a matriarch in the truest sense of the word - our fearless leader who will be sorely missed. May God hold Her in the palm of His hand and may the eternal road rise to meet her.

Donation information in lieu of flowers is forthcoming.