Obituary of Margaret Isabel Johnson Smith

     Margaret Isabel Johnson Smith of Troy, NY died peacefully on Wednesday, July 11 surrounded by a loving daughter, a devoted Quaker friend and the immeasurably caring community at Heritage House Nursing Center in Troy, NY where she lived for the last 8 years of her life. She was 95 years old. Margaret was born on Dinsmore Dairy Farm in Jacksonville, Florida the youngest of 4 children. She was home-schooled and spent much of her time with her doublefirst cousins exploring and working on the land where her parents, Van Cleve (V.C.) and Ada Johnson, farmed. The dairy was boycotted and her family was threatened due to V.C.’s support of civil rights and racial justice exposing Margaret and her siblings to pacifism and social action at an early age. These early experiences shaped Margaret’s choices in marriage, family life and how she spent her time. She and her late husband, Roland Smith, were active members of Albany Friends Meeting for over 50 years. She developed a life-long love and interest in animals (especially cats!), nature, gardening, cooking, swimming and biking. She had creative talent that shown forth in her sewing, jewelry-making, mosaics and even puppets and dollclothes she made for her children. She especially loved making pies for family gatherings and for sharing with friends. She was passionate about teaching children to swim at the Troy YWCA for many years. Margaret’s commitment, along with Roland’s, to hospitality, simplicity, equality, justice and peace-making was unwavering to the end of her life.

     Margaret is survived by her 4 children: Marcia Smith and Stephen Smith (Un-Hui), both of Troy, NY, Philip Smith (Linda Smith) of Naragansett, RI and Jenny Smith (Eric Hillerbrand) of

Wilmette, IL. She will be greatly missed by her 4 grandchildren, Dylan, Noah, Keenan and

Addison Hillerbrand.

    A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Albany Friends Meeting.