Obituary of June R. Smith

June Jacqueline Reber Smith (“Jay”), age 92 of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2019. Jay was raised in Schuylkill Haven, PA and Dunkirk, NY, where she was valedictorian of Dunkirk High School. She moved to Philadelphia to continue her education, earning her Bachelors and Masters in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also met her husband John C. Smith. Jay worked within the Philadelphia School System for twenty-five years as a guidance counselor at Sulzberger Junior High School in West Philadelphia. She also worked as a psychologist for Youth Services, Inc and Sleighton Farm School evaluating children for developmental services After the passing of her husband, Jay raised her children as a single mom for many years. She supported and took great delight in all her childrens’ activities, encouraging them in the pursuit of their interests. As she had completed all the requirements for her Ph.D. except her dissertation, she was especially proud of both her children for going on to earn their doctoral degrees. Jay was an avid reader, and authored a children’s book, “Snortle the Anteater.” She enjoyed horseback riding, cross country skiing, and country line-dancing, and was a lover of nature and animals. Jay cherished her time spent in Huntsville, Ontario Canada, where she vacationed in the summers and made many lifelong friendships. Following retirement, Jay volunteered at the Camden County Libraries and maintained an active participation in community senior citizens groups. As an adult, Jay resided in Philadelphia, and then in Erial, NJ. She later lived briefly with her son and daughter-in-law in Radnor, before moving into Sunrise Assisted living in Newtown Square. She was a resident of Fair Acres Geriatric Center for the last five years of her life. She is predeceased by her husband John Campbell Smith, Jr., parents Paul V. and Katherine Reber, and brother David Charles Reber. Survivors: Loving mother of Dr. Scott Smith (Linda) and Dr. Lynn S. Hall, dear aunt of Kirk and Christopher Reber (Dana), great-aunt of Brittany Leonard (Jeremy), Olivia, Emma and Ian Reber, great-great-aunt of Ava Grace and Kaylie Leonard, cherished sister-in-law of Martha and the late David Reber, and cherished friends for over 50 years Esther and the late Leonard Spear. A Memorial Service will be held at 4PM on Saturday, January 25th, 2020 at McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike, Glenolden PA 19036. Visitation will be held from 3-4pm prior to the service. Guests are invited to join the family for dinner following the memorial service at Lehman's Restaurant, 400 Wanamaker Ave, Essington, PA 19029. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ.