Nancy Smith

Nancy Ann Smith, of Topeka, died Friday, October 3, 2008 at Elmhurst Court, Aldersgate, in Topeka, Kansas. She was born on March 3, 1928, in Topeka, the daughter of Ernest B. Smith and Margaret Morrow Bates.

Nancy attended Sumner Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High and Topeka High School. She received her Bachelor of Education degree and Teacher Certification from Washburn University.

For 47 years, Nancy was the owner and instructor of the Smith Swim and Scuba School. She enjoyed seeing her students succeed and considered water safety an important skill for everyone. In her backyard pool at 1520 S. W. Fillmore, she taught both children and adults from Topeka and surrounding communities, eventually, teaching the children of many former young students. She was certified to teach swimming, water safety, life saving, water safety instructor certification, swimming for those with special needs, water exercise, and scuba diving.

Nancy was employed as a driver for rehabilitation teachers for the State of Kansas Services for the Blind. Earlier in life, Nancy worked for the Missouri Council of Camp Fire Girls, Inc., taught physical education at Curtis Junior High School and synchronized swimming at Gage Park's Blaisdell Pool. She was a water safety instructor trainer, a lifeguard and scuba diving instructor for the YMCA.

Nancy was awarded the status of Emeritus as a Master Gardener with the K-State Research & Extension in Shawnee County. She was a charter member and past-president of the Topeka needlework Guild. She was a Cat Lovers member of the Cat Association of Topeka.

Nancy volunteered with children as a reader at Bishop Elementary School and was a former assistant leader of Junior Girl Scout Troop 149 at Randolph School. Through her interest in water safety, she was a past-chairman of the Shawnee County Red Cross Water Safety Committee and consultant in water safety; she swam on a Tin Man Triathlon team for several years. Nancy assisted the American National Red Cross during WWII.

Nancy loved her family, cats, her garden and pool, teaching swimming, spending time with her friends, and needlework. A highlight of Nancy's travels was a Pacific Ocean cruise to attend the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Nancy leaves behind her cat, Pooky, who has a good home with Nancy's favorite nurse, Patty Ingersoll. Nancy is survived by her sister, Margaret Ann Seeley, Long Beach, Ca; niece, Nancy Orth and husband Adam, Greenfield, Ma; nephews Daniel Seeley and wife Mary, Las Cruces, NM; and Kelly Seeley, Seward, Ak; great-nieces Abrah Orth and Spirit Seeley, great-great niece, Morgan Seeley. Her sister, Patricia Ann Smith, preceded Nancy in death.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held Sunday, October 12th, at 2:30 p.m., at Elmhurst Court, Aldersgate Village, Albright Drive, Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent the Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, 7220 S.W. Asbury Dr., Topeka, 66614, Cat Association of Topeka, 1719 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604, and blood drives of the American Red Cross, www.givelife.org or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).