Obituary of Jane Frances Smith

Jane Frances (Harsy) Smith, longtime resident of Simi Valley, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024. Jane was born July 22, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri to George and Agnes Harsy. Jane and her big sister Mary Jo grew up against the historical backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II, an era that can feel far removed from modern life. Jane and her family walked to school and church, and took the bus to run errands; in fact, Jane only learned to drive a car as an adult. Young Jane was filled with energy and spunk and enjoyed everything from climbing trees to playing tennis to riding horses to ice skating. Jane attended high school at Ursuline Academy, followed by Maryville College in St. Louis, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. One pivotal moment in Jane’s life happened while she was teaching ballroom dancing as a college student: Her fellow instructor introduced her to a young man taking dance lessons named Ray, who turned out to be the love of her life and husband of 48 years.

Jane and Ray welcomed their first 3 children in St. Louis, Missouri, moved to Texas briefly, and then settled in Simi Valley in 1963. With the addition of 2 more children, their family was complete. Jane was born to be a mother and grandmother. She created a loving, welcoming home, which was a hub of activity filled with family gatherings, the friends of her kids always coming over, volleyball games, and the cacophony and laughter of 6 grandkids. The grandkids were always asking to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house where they loved having her French toast for breakfast!

Jane was an involved parishioner at St. Rose of Lima church and school since 1963, predating the building of the school and the current church building. She was a perennial volunteer there, including as a substitute teacher in the 1970s, Eucharistic minister to the homebound, crisis pregnancy counselor, the “library lady”, the “Easter egg lady”, carnival volunteer, one of the organizers of the DSW (Divorced, Separated, and Widowed) group, and member of the Bereavement Committee. Jane had a child or grandchild attending St. Rose school for a total of 36 years, and was a fixture at daily Mass.

Throughout her life, Jane was an avid traveler, logging thousands of miles in the the motorhome with Ray at the wheel, packing up the kids and traveling to many national parks and all corners of the United States and Canada, as far away as Alaska (twice!). Some of her favorite memories were spending time in nature and seeing the country on these road trips.

When Jane’s dear husband Ray passed away nearly 20 years ago, she carried on with her volunteer work, and traveling with her kids and grandkids, and embracing her role of matriarch. Her final couple years were spent in a memory care home with kind caregivers. Even as her memory declined, her kindness and sense of humor remained.

Jane was generous, cheerful, smart, funny, and kind. She would never utter an ill word against anyone and preferred to believe in the good in people. Jane would win most games of Scrabble and ping-pong well into her 70s, a hallmark of the Smith competitive spirit! She loved watching the birds in her backyard, admiring flowers and scenery, and couldn’t say no to a bowl of ice cream.

Jane is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray; her infant son Andrew; and her parents, Agnes and George Harsy. Jane is survived by sister Mary Jo Harsy of Fargo, ND; son James Smith of Simi Valley; daughter and son-in law Cathy and Rob Lemon of Westlake Village; son David Smith of Vancouver Washington; son and daughter-in-law Tom and Toni Smith of Simi Valley; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Ric McCallan of Quincy California; grandchildren Ben and Kendra Smith, Clint Smith, Zack Smith, Allison Lemon. Lorelei Lemon, Ryan Lemon; and brand new great-grandson Stetson Ray Smith.

Jane’s services will include: Visitation and Rosary at Rose Family Funeral Home in Simi Valley on Monday, July 22 from 5:00 – 9:00 PM (Rosary begins at 7:00 PM); Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley on Tuesday, July 23 at 11:00 AM, followed by burial at Assumption Catholic Cemetery; Reception at St. Rose of Lima parish hall following cemetery service.