Jaclynn Mae Smith

The incomparable Jaclynn Mae Smith, 32, was chosen by God to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven on May 29, 2023. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a difficult battle with breast cancer. Throughout her later years, she was an absolute warrior, enduring so much with so little complaint. We weren’t ready to lose her but know that she is in a much better place.

Jaclynn was born and raised in Cape Coral, Florida. She attended regional K-12 schools and graduated from Ida Baker High School. After high school, Jaclynn decided to take on the world by going to the University of Central Florida and then later attended Florida Gulf Coast University. She studied criminal justice and pursued her career as a paralegal as well as in real estate, a field she always loved.

Jaclynn’s favorite hobbies were traveling, experiencing the regional cultures that she encountered throughout her journeys, watching the Chicago Bears, coordinating the family’s NFL fantasy football league, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends. She loved her family more than anything in the world, and she loved all her friends dearly.

She stands in our hearts as a reminder of strength, perseverance, love, and compassion. Though we will mourn her loss daily, we know that we will be reunited in time.

Jaclynn is survived by her parents, Jack and Lee Ann; her sister, Summerlynn; Uncle Tim Westervelt; cousins Chandler and Caleb; Godmother Aunt Cathy (Oui) Hunter; cousins Anthony Hunter, Ciarra-Marie (Andy) Baez and second cousin Nikolai; Uncle Edward (Bonnie) Smith; cousins Katie and Kristen Smith; second cousin Adalynn; Uncle Andrew (Suzanne) Smith; cousins Alexandra (Justin) William;, second cousin Magnolia; Andrew Smith, Jr. and Nykol Smith; Uncle Frank Smith; cousin Austin (Carmella) Smith, Frankie and Duncan Smith; Great Aunt Delores (Wade) McCallon; second cousins Wade Jr., Rhonda and Donna McCallon; Great Aunt Kathy (Buford) Barger; Great Uncle Dan (Sandra) Walker; and Great Aunt Hazel Green.

She has several second and third cousins in Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.

Jaclynn was preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald Westervelt; Betty and Charles Gaffin; Jack Smith Sr. and Rose Marie Smith; Great Aunt Estelle (W.B.) Austin, Great Aunt Robbye (John) Smith, Great Uncle Billy Ray (Pansy)Walker, Great Aunt Betty (Bob) Hurst.

We also want to acknowledge Jaclynn’s best friends, Jessica and Felix Gonzalez (Rosalyn and Marcus), Joseph Mann, Christina LoSauro, Katelyn Glaser, Jessica Lewis (Benjamin, Isaac, and Elijah) Allyson Schreier, Milenny Lee (Christian), Mariah Ramirez (Alexis), Jason and Angelica Moore (Godson; Vincenzo) and Cylina Slajda (Averik). They were inseparable and incredibly important and supportive during her time of greatest need. She also had a second set of parents who adored her, Dennis and Lisa Mann. She was very grateful for her mom’s best friend, Michelle Ortolano (Scott, Lila, and Logan).

There are so many other special people that Jaclynn had in her life, all of whom she adored and was always ready to embrace and celebrate special times with.

A funeral will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Church on June 7th at 11:00 AM with a burial and reception gathering of family and friends to follow at Coral Ridge Funeral Home. All are welcome to come share memories of her life.