Helen "Gerry" Smith

Helen "Gerry" Smith, a beloved matriarch and devoted family woman, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at Kauhale of Centerville. Born on March 29, 1931, in Middletown, Ohio, Helen lived a life marked by dedication, resilience, and love for her family and community.

Gerry graduated from Germantown High School, class of 1949, and furthered her education at Miami Jacobs College. She worked with distinction as an Executive Secretary in the Avionics Lab at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence throughout her career.

Known for her private nature and tough exterior, Gerry was the unwavering guiding force and the unquestioned boss within her family. Her strength and wisdom shaped the lives of those she loved, as she gently steered her children and grandchildren with a firm but caring hand. She took immense pride in her heritage and instilled that same pride in her family, always encouraging them to honor who they were.

Gerry's proudest accomplishments were her children and grandchildren. She was a cherished mother to daughters Debbie (Mike) Rieger, Becky (Jim) Wafzig, and Beth Genslinger. Her grandchildren Michael (Andie) Wafzig, Brian (Jessica) Wafzig, Abby (Michael) Clark, and Wesley Weidle were the center of her world, along with her great-grandchildren Kendra Reedy, Emmett and Nolan Wafzig, Dylan, Landon, and Gavin Weidle, Ava, Evelyn, and Callan Clark, Noah and Bailey Wafzig, and her great, great-granddaughter Callie King. She also shared a special bond with her niece Peggy McCollum.

Gerry was preceded in death by her devoted husband of nearly seventy years, Orion Smith; grandsons, Zachary Cox, Daniel Weidle, and Andrew Genslinger and his father, Mitch; and her siblings Finley Allen, Evelyn Miller, and Donald Allen.

As a lifetime member of St. John's United Church of Christ of Germantown, Gerry dedicated herself to the life of her church community. She was actively involved in the Holiday Bazaar and led the youth fellowship for many years, reflecting her commitment to nurturing others beyond her family.

Among her many cherished memories were the joyful mornings spent making breakfast for her grandchildren before school and attending their activities with unwavering support and enthusiasm. Gerry found great pleasure in making scrapbooks, preserving memories with care, and was celebrated for her wonderful cooking, especially the many family holiday dinners that brought her loved ones together.

A graveside service will be held on May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Germantown Union Cemetery, located at 11179 W Market St., Germantown, Ohio 45327.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. John's in memory of Gerry.  The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and caretakers at Kauhale Centerville for their care and compassion over the past four years.

Gerry leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion that will endure through her family and the countless lives she touched. Her memory will remain a guiding light, a testament to a life well-lived and a heart deeply cherished.