Jeanne Marie Smith Willis

Jeanne was born on August 24,1928 in Easthampton, Massachusetts to Col. Howard Bruce Smith and Dorothea Eveline Smith. As a child she mastered several musical instruments and had a passion for horses, including eventing and racing. She graduated from Easthampton High School in 1946 where she was the Drum Major of the school's band.

Jeanne graduated from Stetson University in Deland, Florida in 1950, majoring in biology and chemistry. At Stetson, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and the Beta Beta Beta biology honorary.

She married Ronald G. Willis in 1951.

They had four children, Susan, Toby, Ronald and Mary Katherine (Cricket).

Following her divorce and the loss of her son Toby, she earned her Florida teaching certificate and began a 25 year career as an elementary school teacher for Hillsborough County schools. She was Teacher of the Year at Mango Elementary School.

Jeanne was a prolific volunteer. She became a Master Gardener and earned the professional designation as a Horticultural Therapist Volunteer, was a helper for indigent elders at Sunrise Village and taught American Sign Language to the hearing impaired. She was a Special Olympics volunteer, learned to provide grief counseling to children and served as a Guardian Ad Litum. She learned to play the harp and performed at churches and elder facilities. Jeanne learned Tai Chi and yoga.

In Tampa, she was a devoted and lifelong active member at Saint Catherine's Episcopal Church. Jeanne taught Sunday School and Children's Chapel, served on the Altar Guild, provided Eucharistic Visitation and served on the Vestry. Jeanne attended weekly services until the month before her passing.

Jeanne loved to travel, first taking summer camping vacations with her children and later taking her grandchildren to England, France, and the Holy Land.

Jeanne was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists and Order of Franciscan Society.

As a single-parent working mom, she never missed her children's or her grandchildren's dance recitals, sporting events, concerts, plays, and graduations.

Jeanne is survived by her children, Susan ( Robert) Crescentini of Tampa, Dr. Ronald G Willis (Margaret) of Tallahassee and Cricket (Douglas) of Tallahassee and nine grandchildren, Dr. Robert Crescentini (Kate), Rachel Crescentini, Rebecca Daly (Patrick) , Dr. Andrew Mannheimer (Samantha) , George Mannheimer( Michelle), Robyn Atkins (Collin), Kaylin Willis (Casey), Bryson Willis and Willow Willis, and 10 great grandchildren, Rocco Crescentini, Rex Atkins, Isidora Crescentini , Etta Daly, Arsene Daly, Sterling Atkins, Robert Crescentini lll, Addison Mannheimer, Jack Mannheimer and Hallie George Mannheimer.

In her final years, Jeanne was blessed with loving care from the staff at Concordia Village of Tampa.

Services for Jeanne will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 7th at St. Catherine's Episcopal Church,502 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace, Florida

In lieu of flowers, please send contribute in Jeanne’s name to St.Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace, Florida or to your favorite charity.