Maurine L. Smith

is honored with a Brick from Karen Ward.

Maurine L. Smith
Born July 22, 1917 - Died July 10, 1995

My mother was one of four sisters. She was born and raised in Haven, KS, where she spent part of her time teaching tap dance and giving piano lessons. After her marriage to Marcine Smith, she moved to Wichita and a job at Beech Aircraft. She continued to work at Beech after the birth of two daughters to help finance the family business, Marcine's Flowers, which started on the front porch of their house. She later retired from Beech, but continued to take classes at WSU and to play the organ for her church. Through the years, she was also involved in a three-piece jazz combo and took lessons to learn oil painting.

She was always ready to let a child move into her home, whether it was a grandchild, great-grandchild or a kid in trouble. She saw only the good in people and flatly refused to see the bad - unless, of course, they were to speak badly of her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. To Mom, that would be the worst offense possible. Though she had many loves - music, her church, art - nothing could compare with her love of family. One of my daughters has described Mom this way: "Everyone needs someone in their life that thinks that they are the absolute greatest - and we always had Grandma Maurine." I am very thankful that I had Mom and that my girls had Grandma Maurine because she truly made a difference in the lives of others.

Submitted by daughter Karen R. Ward