The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Editor's note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Eagle ran this obituary last week in an unedited state. We are reprinting the obituary this week in its final edited form. We apologize sincerely to Mrs. Smith's family for the error.

Vera Jean Smith was born July 11, 1927, in Aberdeen, to Edwin and Ellen McEachern. She was their only child.

Jean died at home on Nov. 26, 2023, at the age of 96.

She married Dewey B. Smith on Aug. 5, 1944, at the age of 17, when Dewey was 19. They were married 66 years. Together they had four children: two girls, and two boys. After following Dewey for 20 years to different locations-while working in the Navy, or taking care of the kids, or while he was on board, or out of the country-they retired to Bremerton.

In the early 1970s the couple moved to Cathlamet. Jean loved Cathlamet and its people. She worked at Cathlamet Pharmacy for several years and enjoyed meeting the townspeople. She golfed, bowled, and walked with her special group of friends. She loved to do crafts. Her handmade quilts were beautiful. Jean loved learning and loved the television show "Jeopardy!" She always had a book to read, anything that would keep her brain active. The time she spent with her 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren made her happy. She wanted to see them as often as possible. She loved teaching them to cook and bake, to draw trees, and was always ready to answer question after question.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Dewey, daughter Terri Wawrzynowicz, son-in-law Andy Wawrzynowicz, her son Charles Scott Smith, daughter-in-law Phyllis Smith, grandaughter Julie Jarvis.

Surviving Jean are her daughter Lynn Jarvis of Marietta, Georgia, and son Jeff Smith (Gail Smith) of Kauai, HI; a nephew Phillip Mohr; wife Bev; and Leeann Hicks, adopted family member.

She will be greatly missed.