In Memory

Anne (Shirley) Smith (Smith)



 
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07/27/23 09:41 AM #1    

Stephanie Katz (Farley)

S. Smith Obituary

The friends and family of Dr. Anne Smith report with sadness her passing on 11 May 2023 after a long illness. Anne was a veterinarian, who practiced her healing arts in Cave Creek, Arizona and San Diego, California.

She was born Shirley Anne Smith in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles S. and Barbara F. Smith. Growing up in Cleveland Heights, her love for animals became clear at an early age. Horses and horseback riding were an early focus. She later added dogs, cats, and birds to her personal menagerie as well as to her veterinary practice.

She loved a good laugh and was willing to challenge conventional boundaries, as evidenced in early years when she gave her younger sister a small glass of (admittedly watered-down) gin while babysitting. In adult life this willingness led her to incorporate into her practice many alternative approaches to healing. She earned a B.S. from Wellesley College (1969) and a VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (1975). She did not rest on her formal training, but continued to educate herself throughout her life. Acupuncture, massage and manipulation, homeopathy, and sound and color therapies were among her modalities for health management. She worked with pet owners to educate them and form a partnership in the journey to keep their pets healthy. Many of these clients became friends.

Anne chose the kind of life she wanted to live, pursued the training for it with determination, and lived it with conviction. We shall all miss her laugh, her conversation and companionship, and her beautiful smile.

As well as the many friends, clients, and pets who will miss her, surviving family members are her brother David K. Smith, his wife, Carol S. Smith, their daughter Cathy Smith, and daughter-in-law, Erin Loomas; also her sister Barbara Usher along with her children Michael and Elizabeth Usher. 

Anne's longtime close friend, Valerie, has this to say:

Barbara asked me to add a few words about my friend, our friend, Dr. Anne, to this obituary.  

I will try, but those reading this who have known Anne like I have, know words are inadequate. Having enjoyed sharing her love of horses, dogs and good people for over 30 years. I deliberately used "good" as a qualifier for people, because Dr. Anne knew that horses and dogs (and all other animals) were all good.

With all due respect to her education and medical credentials, the real essence, the magical essence of Dr. Anne was and dare I say is still, her powerful energy and spirit. Her ability to connect with the spiritual world gave her a mystical power which she used to heal the wounded and those in pain. She continued to do so even as her strength declined.

While she used her learning to include pendants and singing bowls to focus her healing spirit's power, her spirit was, and is, the essence of Dr. Anne. While easy for us educated humans to dismiss as impossible, those who have seen her give her gentle touch and energy to those in pain, know otherwise. While in grief for our loss, those of us who have benefited from her gifts, know we can reach out and she will still be here.

Dr. Anne, know that you are loved. Thanks for sharing.  

Valerie

Donations in Anne's honor may be made to Desert Sky Ranch and Sanctuary who have taken in her miniature horses:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TYPE7GTAQ9SLY&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

or to the bee project at Ancient Native Remedies:

https://ancientnativeremedies.com/shop/ols/products/donations-for-the-bees


07/27/23 01:41 PM #2    

Steve Jacobs

And another loving classmate removed from our ranks. I did not know Anne. However, the words memorialized in her obituary tell me that I missed out on something very special by not knowing or keeping in touch with Anne. My condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace.

I find it difficult commenting on so many class obituaries.

I wish we were all younger and were posting birthday wishes, birth announcements and, marriages instead.

Love and peace to all of you still blessed to be able to comment on these "Memory Updates." 

Steve Jacobs   


07/27/23 01:58 PM #3    

Alizah "Fran" (Fraida) Blake (Hochstead)

Once again a classmate has left this world. I didn't know her and I don't have any memories to post, but that is the case with many of our classmates. I didn't know many people. Still it saddens me when one leaves us. <ay she watch over all of us from above. 


07/27/23 04:01 PM #4    

Myra Mushkatel (Rosen)

I did know Shirley (Anne) Smith at Canterbury Elementary School from first grade thru 6th grade.  She was a quiet, thoughtful young girl, very smart and very nice.  I think we were in Brownies together also.  While we had no real contact after Canterbury, every time I looked at class pictures from elementary school I would find Shirley and smile. I liked her calm nature which remained with me all these years.  I had herard she became a Veternarian and was so happy for her.  I am in awe of her achievements in helping animals in so many different ways. I wish I had lived near her so she could have treated my dog, Daisy.  Daisy sees a Chiropractor who works on animals - makes me feel close to Shirley as I firmly believe in alternative methods of medicine for humans and animals.  I will always remember her with a smile and hope the memories her family have will bring them some solace.  She will always be remembered for her goodness.


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