Fern Virginia Smith

Mrs. Fern Virginia Hood Smith, 96, of Keymar, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at Carroll Hospice Dove House, Westminster. She was the wife of John Smith. They were married nearly 59 years. Born July 9, 1914, in New Windsor, she was the daughter of the late Elmer Eugene and Jeanette Ida Selby Hood. Mrs. Smith was an Army wife, and together with her husband, they travelled the world. Upon Mr. Smith's military discharge, they moved to Sykesville where they would reside for a number of years. It was during that time that Mrs. Smith provided day care for many children over the years. Following their residency in Sykesville, Mr. and Mrs. Smith relocated to Florida. While living in Florida, Mrs. Smith was a member of Grace United Methodist Church Graceful Ladies. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was an active member of Triple L (Live Longer and Like it). The couple returned to Maryland a few years ago to be closer to their family. In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marianna Keeney of Middletown; two grandchildren, Sarah Malivuk and Clara Ann Szczechura, both of Delaware; four great-grandchildren, Teri, Denny, Danny and Sarah Kate; two sisters, Nellie Dutrow and Sarah Shankle, both of Frederick; a sister-in-law, Rita Hood, also of Frederick; and several nieces and nephews, including special nephew, John Smith Sr., and his wife, Pat. She was predeceased by her son, James Keeney; a sister, Isabel Boone; five brothers, Clarence, Tommy, Jerry, Charles and Bill Hood; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Hood. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, from the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. Officiating funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be the Rev. Jan Daffern of Evangelical Reformed UCC. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at KeeneyBasford.com