Kathryn “Kitty” Smith, age 96, of the Town of Western, passed away on June 2, 2018, at the Sunset Nursing Home in Boonville where she had resided for the past two years.
Kitty was born on March 26, 1922, in a farm house along Link Road in West Rome. She was a twin daughter of the late Andrew and Doris Kowalchuk Moskin, who were immigrants from the Ukraine. She grew up on a farm on Quaker Hill that her family moved to when she was about four years old. She attended the Quaker Hill District 7 one room school and graduated from West Leyden H.S. in 1940. Her family all worked hard on the farm, and growing up during the depression without the luxury of electricity had a strong impact on her.
Kitty was very proud of her Ukraine heritage, growing up with all the customs, eating the food, and celebrating the holidays. She attended the Ukraine Church in Rome. On October 19, 1940, she married Ralph Smith; a loving union that lasted 72 years until his passing in 2013. In 1945, they bought a farm on Quaker Hill where they lived for the rest of their lives and raised their family. They enjoyed traveling, and vacations in the U.S, Hawaii, Europe, and England.
Kitty did all the things expected of a farm wife and mother with pride and pleasure such as raising a big garden and canning vegetables, keeping a large house clean, and stitching and patching clothes. She was an excellent cook and could effortlessly put on a meal for 12 people. She liked to read and loved the world around her. She saw the beauty of nature in hummingbirds and flowers, especially African Violets and Daffodils. She loved her home and the beautiful view of the lake and valley.
Kitty was a member of the North Western United Methodist Church for 60 years, a trustee of school district 13 for many years, and a 4H leader. Her greatest joy was her family. She was an all-star mother and a wonderful, loving grandmother who cared for her many grandchildren as they came along.
Kitty is survived by her five children, Marie (Brian) Billings of KY, Richard (Janet) Smith, Garry Smith, Ronald (Sharon) Smith all of Quaker Hill, and Joseph (Elaine) Smith of Westernville; 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and five great, great grandchildren; a brother Michael (Marie) Moskin of Floyd; a special niece and nephew (Sherry (Bryon) May and Charles Englebrecht; and her special, lifelong friend, Mary Chudyk. She was predeceased by her special and much loved twin sister, Mary Englebrecht, her sister, Sue Shepard; and two brothers, Peter Mason and Alex Moskin.
The family sends a sincere thank you to all the staff and caregivers at Sunset Nursing Home, especially those on C Wing.
Kitty’s funeral will be held on Friday at 11 AM at the North Western United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Westernville Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Thursday from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Western United Methodist Church and/or the Westernville Vol. Fire Dept.
Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.
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