Jeanette "Ramona" Smith

February 28, 1931 – June 8, 2017

Ramona Smith, of Auburn California, passed away June 8, 2017 after a sudden illness.

Ramona was born in Elkhart, Indiana on February 28, 1931 to Arthur and Violet (Waterman) Eckhart.

She was the older of two children. Ramona attended Willowbrook High School in Elkhart Indiana and

graduated from Enterprise High School Los Angeles California in 1949. She attended Los Angeles City

College before starting a career in bookkeeping which spanned almost 50 years. After returning to

Elkhart, Indiana in 1950, she married Roger D. Allen in June, 1951 and they had one daughter. In 1960,

Ramona moved to Auburn, California to be close to her parents and she married Robert H. Smith in July

1965 and they had one daughter.

Ramona was the original “Martha Stewart”. She always put her family first and wanted to be sure they

were well taken care of and knew they were loved. Her family and home were her first priorities. She

valued traditions and made every holiday special in some fabulous food choice. She loved cooking and

trying new recipes – at one point she had over 60 different cook books and probably a 1000 different

recipes from magazines. She could just look at the recipe ingredients and knew it would be something

her family would like.

Her other interests were many. She loved music - all kinds – and she enjoyed playing her organ almost

daily. She followed a strict routine of taking daily walks - she usually walked a mile every day. She was an

avid reader-all types of books, romance, mysteries, biographies - and she always had a book on her

nightstand. She enjoyed travel- she was always up for an adventure and loved meeting new people.

Probably the activity she was most passionate about was Ballroom dancing. She participated in several

showcases and became a champion ballroom dancer. She never missed a “Dancing with the Stars” show

and could almost always anticipate who’s going home next.

Ramona loved interacting and being around people and during her entire life was involved in activities

where she could support and help – High School Cheerleading, Job’s Daughters, Eastern Star, and

Secretary for the Auburn Newcomers. In later years she volunteered at the Auburn Senior Center and at

the library at Auburn Ravine Terrace.

Family and friends descripted Ramona has a kind, compassionate, honest, strong, independent, hardworking,

courageous women who was liked by all.

Ramona was preceded in death by her husband, mother and father, and brother, Arthur Eckhart, Jr. She

is survived by her two daughters Linda K. Allen and Christina L. Smith-Bell, her son in law James Robert

Bell and beloved grandchildren, James Robert Bell. III and Tyra Lynn Bell as well as several nieces and

nephews.

At the request of Ramona, there will not be a service. Burial will be Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at 1PM at

the New Auburn Cemetery. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.

The family would like to thank the caring medical staff at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital for all their

support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Placer County SPCA.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.