Obituary of Irene C. Smith

Irene C. Smith (Jurick) 90, of South Vineland died at Inspira emergency room Tuesday night, May 22nd, 2018. Her sons Stephen and Jerry were present. Irene was born in Beaverdale, Pa. and moved to South Jersey after the war in 1946 and found work in Armstrong's glass factory. Shortly after the move she met her husband, Jestin. They were married for 57 years. In that time they raised nine children: Justin and Kathleen Smith of Mauricetown, daughter Christine Kennedy of Olympia, Wash., Laurence Smith of University Place, Wash., son and daughter-in-law John and Cindy of Fairton, Richard and Jean Smith of Vineland, sons Anthony and Jerry Smith of Vineland, son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Marcia Smith of Bridgeton, daughter and a son-in-law Kimberly and David Adams of Vineland. Also surviving are her sister Gertrude Alcorn of Millville, and brother and sister-in-law Ed and Sylvia Jurick of Millville. Family was Irene's pride and joy. Her own children, along with 18 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren kept her busy. She raised a small army and never raised her voice. Her subtle look of disappointment was all the weapon she needed to discipline any child with a conscience. The one time I saw her actually lose her temper was when she was at the at St. Mary Magdalen's bingo hall. A woman sympathetically mentioned that she pitied her for having to drag all those children around. Mom lost it! At that moment I learned that it's okay to fight as long as the cause is worthy. She had many lessons to share; they were there for the asking. Bingo was only one of her ways to deal with the pressure of a busy home-life. She loved watching race horses and wasn't shy about seeking on the local bookie to place a bet or two. It was not uncommon for her to hit a streak of exactas; to this day I have no idea where she learned to handicap the ponies. It's a wonder she ever got any sleep. I remember seeing her sit on the front step at three in the morning. To clear her head, talk to God, or simply pray the rosary as she did for decades (pun intended). When she joined Sacred Heart Church she immediately became a member of the Rosary Society. In her late sixties, she had no hesitation to head out on one of her religious retreats. Even the blustery rain-soaked skies couldn't dissuade her from seeing Pope John Paul II. She was an inspiration for anyone who took the time to know her. I thank God every day I was smart enough to seize that opportunity. There is no abandonment here, only a gentle leaving proclaimed in a solitary whisper: "It is time." And it was. The message came quickly, but preparation had long since begun. We are left in strange silence to think and feel and weep in wonder of it all. For in truth she was a character, memorable above all else, greeting life on terms not of her own choosing, converting thorns into flowers of a higher order. They would bloom no matter what, and so would she. But the greater garden always beckoned, and finally the last obstruction melted. She rides with the angels now, smiling as she nods at destiny and pities us only a moment our inability to understand. Her smile returns, knowing that the void we feel will soon be filled with better things.