Lois Marie Smith

Lois M. Smith Mother, Nurse, Educator Lois went to her eternal reward on April 30, 2008. The sun was blotted out and the stars have fallen for her family and friends with her passing. She was born on August 15, 1938 in Braddock, PA, the daughter of Francis and Catherine (Frank) Vincunas. She was a graduate of Divine Providence Academy of Pittsburgh, PA in 1956. She then graduated from the School of Nursing at Philadelphia General Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in 1963. She married Dr. Dale J. Smith in Philadelphia, PA on June 20, 1964. She worked as a Nurse in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California and Colorado. She worked with Dr. Starzl on the first renal transplant and was very proud of that experience. She worked in her husband's internal medicine office and was the stabilizing force. She was humble and understanding. The patients and staff loved her as did everyone else who came to know her throughout her life. She then changed careers and became department chair of Allied Health at Arapahoe Community College in 1986. She helped found the Pharmacy Tech program in 1994. During this time she wrote a chapter in ""Understanding Medical Coding, a Comprehensive Guide"" authored by Sandra L. Johnson and published by Delmar Publishers. Her chapter is ""Module 2, CPT coding: evaluation and management."" She also participated in making a teaching CD called ""Delmar's Medical Assisting."" She reviewed textbooks for Delmar Publishing in Albany, NY. She retired in 1998. Gov. Romer of Colorado, gave her a letter thanking her for her service. Lastly, in retirement, she woked as a nurse for Maxim giving flu shots in the fall and this was a fun job. She loved her faith, the mountains, Colorado, Broadway shows, Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, John Coltrane, Billie Holliday, Vienna waltzes and especially her loving family. She was a seamstress, superb cook, homemaker and organizer. She was an avid Bronco fan and she was an Ohio State fan for life after she worked at University Hospital in Columbus, OH. She loved to travel and did so around the world. Her biggest love was being a grandmother to her 5 grandkids and watching her 3 daughters grow and continue to be successful and happy. She was always thinking about how she could help someone else. She was a classy lady! She is survived by her husband, Dr. Dale J. Smith, and 3 daughters: Karen (Greg) Hoggatt, Suzanne (Doug) Rougier and Anne (Kyle) Durlam. She has 5 wonderful grandchildren: Katrina, Meredith and Trevor Hoggatt, Bryn Rose Durlam and Madeline Rougier. Eight sisters: Madeline Vincunas, Sylvia (Mike) Janisov, Mary Ann (John) Solka, Catherine (Philip) Van Wyck, Phyllis Woody, Justine (Patrick) Hanson, Jeannine Ramsay, Jacqueline (Madeline) Vincunas, and only brother, Frank (Lisa) Vincunas. She has numerous nephews and nieces that she was extremely proud of and in Denver, CO there are: Jan (Chris) Wilcox and little John also Darren (Kirsten) Kurpecky and little Elliot. Donations in her name can be made to CU Health Sciences Ctr., Pancreatic Cancer Research, 13001 E. 17th Pl., Aurora, CO 80045 or Arapahoe Community College Foundation, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, PO Box 9002, Campus Box #43, Littleton, CO 80160-9002.