Kathryn Smith

Kathryn Arnetta Smith was the oldest of 3 daughters born to William and Pearl Forstner in Loraine, Ohio. All of her life, she was a stylish trendsetter and did not want to be told “no.” Kathryn’s family moved to Baltimore where she would meet, fell in love with, and married John Smith in 1941. They lived in Baltimore City and raised 7 children: Jerry, Iris, Richard, Carol, Beverly, Jean, and John. During their lives together, they were both active in Tall Cedars of Lebanon and the Masons. Kathryn was even the President of the PTA of School PS 33 for a year. The end of this marriage led her to find her next love… another John Smith. This union added two more grown children, Pauline and Tom, and would last 37 years until Pop passed away in 2008. Kathryn worked in a doctor’s office and an emergency room, but no job suited her more than being a Baltimore City Crossing Guard. Her smile and energy brightened the days of countless people who traveled through “her corner.” During the winter, she bundled up in so many layers that when she shed them come spring, many of her regulars at the corner thought she had shed a huge amount of weight. Throughout her life, family was always first. Kathryn was extremely close to her mother and her sister, Sylvia; she drove down the shore to visit almost daily. There’s no forgetting her best friend, Peggy, whom she had coffee with every day possible for 50+ years. Kathryn also enjoyed family traditions, typically involving lots of food. Kathryn was known for her cooking and baking skills. Each Thanksgiving, she single handedly prepared a meal to feed 25+ family members, also making all of the pies for dessert.

Kathryn was always generous (although a half of piece of gum would suffice) and played a mean game of pinochle and 500 rummy. She had a green thumb and could easily make her cactuses and African violets bloom. She also had a love for animals: her dogs, birds, and especially her bearded dragons.

Kathryn died peacefully on July 20, 2021. She was preceded in death by two sons, three grandsons, her sister Jean, her parents, and both of her husbands. She is survived by five children: Iris (Bill), Richard (Carol), Carol (Ronnie), Beverly (Nates), Jean (Stan); step-children Pauline (Bud), and Tom; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.