Eleanor Laura Smith

Eleanor was born in Natick, Massachusetts on October 27, 1923 to Nellie and Irving Clark. She died on November 11, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Eleanor delighted in her home town of Millis and a childhood spent ice skating, reading, playing basketball and spending long summers at the family cottage on Cape Cod. Eleanor attended nursing school at Simmons College in Boston, MA. After graduation she was employed as a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital in Boston where she was promoted first to Head Nurse on the Children's Ward and then Supervisor of a Treatment Room. A favorite memory of her work was the children excitedly calling her name as she came on duty. While in Boston, she met William Smith, a medical student from Oklahoma City, and they married in 1947. The couple moved to Oklahoma City in 1954 where Eleanor supported her husband's career and raised three children. Eleanor enjoyed pets, gardening, playing tennis, art classes, and volunteering at Children's Hospital. Eleanor was honored for her 20 plus years of volunteer service including several terms on the Volunteer Auxiliary Board for the hospital. She loved nature and instilled a respect for all living things into her children. Eleanor was a devoted mother and grandmother who intentionally created special memories for her three grandsons and three granddaughters. Building a vacation beach home in Destin, Florida was one way she insured wonderful memories for the family and Eleanor loved spending time there. Eleanor is survived by son Bill Jr. and wife Ann of Claremore, OK; son Steve and wife Helen of Beaumont, TX; daughter Laura and husband Ben Pollard of Edmond, OK. Grandsons: Ben Smith and his wife Becki, Andy Smith, and Eric Pollard. Granddaughters: Kara Keenze and her husband Jon, Jackie Smith, and Katrina Pollard. Great-Grandchildren: Holden, Claire and Brooks Keenze, and Emma Smith. She is also survived by nephew Glenn Smith III of Dallas, Texas and niece Janet Adams of College Station, Texas. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Dr. William O. Smith, Sr. in July 2009. A Memorial service to honor Eleanor's life will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City where she was a long-time member. The memorial service will be on Friday, December 2nd at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested contributions to the Children's Hospital Foundation at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center or Alzheimer's Association.