Patricia “Pat” Smith

Patricia “Pat” Smith was born to Katherine (Salzer) Corber and Alva “Bill” Corber near Waverly Kansas August 8^th, 1932. She was the youngest of three siblings, with two older brothers, Robert “Jack” and Billy Corber. The Great Depression forced the family to move to the country outside of Topeka where her Father farmed with a large workhorse named Rex and her mother gardened and canned. Pat and her brothers attended a one room schoolhouse and studied by oil lamp. Pat would recall that she had a good family because they all helped each other out during the hard times of the Great Depression. Their farmhouse burned down, so the family moved to Topeka where her father worked as a Plumber.

As there was little money for new clothes, Pat learned to sew. Her Hungarian born Grandfather Stephen was a tailor, and she enjoyed visiting him at the shop he worked at in Topeka while she was on her way home from school. Her Grandmother Mary was trained in Hungary as a Chef, and she had fond memories of meals she shared with her Grandparents.

Pat attended Topeka High School and spent 2 years at Washburn University before having to discontinue her schooling due to lack of funding. After leaving college, Pat worked various jobs before marrying and raising six children. Pat’s own family knew her as a fine seamstress and excellent cook. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, canning, and ran a little vegetable stand off her front porch for many years. Pat was also an animal lover and sheltered many beloved cats and dogs over her lifetime.

Pat had unwavering devotion to her family, and she was someone her family could count on through good times and bad. Pat was tough, enduring the loss of two children and multiple bouts with cancer. Overall, Pat felt like she had a good life and made it her work to raise her family in the best possible way given her blue-collar resources. We will miss her terribly but are grateful for the 90 years she had on this earth and the lessons she taught us. Pat died at home with family by her side.

She is survived by her children: Terry Smith; David Scott; Matt (Beth) Smith; Vicki (John) Daniel and Lorraine Leaf; brother Billy Gene Corber. There are also numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grandchild.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank J. Smith, Son Larry D. Smith and Robert Jack Corber and Daughter Linda Didier

Graveside committal service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday October 1, 2022 at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Newton with The Reverend Donna Voteau presiding.

Pat’s favorite color was blue, so in memorial, please wear this in her honor. Please sent memorial contributions to Caring Hands Humane Society or Harry Hynes Hospice.