Martha Ann Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Martha Ann Smith passed away Monday, March 21, 2016 in a local hospital. She was born to her parents, Maxwell and Harriet Rindge, in Cortland, New York, and has been a Benicia resident since 1986. After graduating from high school, Martha served during the Korean War in the Women's Army Corps. She spent many years as a homemaker raising her large family and several foster children. She then worked as a lifeguard and coached the swim team at Bishop Estates Cabana Club in Concord. Martha also worked as a Registered Nurse for almost 20 years, most of those at Mt. Diablo Hospital in the Cardiac unit. She was an avid reader and enjoyed taking trips to the family homes in Lake Tahoe and Capitola. She also enjoyed train trips to Morro Bay and Reno. Martha loved cooking meals and spending holidays with her large family. Her home was known for an abundance of food and laughter. She became a friend to everyone she met and had so many people she enjoyed visiting with in Benicia. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Edwin W. Smith, and children Michael Smith, Steven (Victoria) Schmidt, Robin (Mark) Fortney, Karl (Nina) Schmidt, Linne' Almer and Patrick Schmidt; also, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, her sister Marrietta, and her mother. She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her. As stated by her youngest granddaughter Nella, and agreed on by all, "She was the best Grandma in the whole world." There will be a celebration of her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to any Veterans organization.

Martha Ann Smith

April 2, 1934 - March 21, 2016