Jan Smeigh

On April 19th, 2026, Jan (Vandergriff) Smeigh of Columbus, OH peacefully passed away at home after an arduous journey with Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Paris, TX in 1946, Jan grew up in and around Hugo, OK. She graduated from Hugo High School in 1964 and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she graduated with a degree in Education. In 1968, Jan made her way to Columbus, OH for a short visit with her Aunt, and turned it into her home of over 50 years.

Soon after coming to Ohio, Jan began teaching in Columbus City Schools and continued teaching with CCS for over 31 years. Jan started her teaching career at Devonshire Elementary, then moved to Parkmoor Elementary where she spent nearly 20 years of her career, and then finally to Como Elementary where she retired. Jan loved helping kids learn and was a tireless champion for reluctant readers and hesitant learners of all ages.

After retiring, Jan continued teaching (and learning) as she explored Trager, KI Method, Reiki, and other body work modalities. She found joy in helping others learn how to feel more comfortable in their body.

When not working, Jan loved to travel and experience cultures through fashion and food (just not onions). While the world is a big place, it always found a way to be small and cozy for Jan. Who else could take an epic car trip around Europe in 1970 and run into someone from Ft Townsend, OK in Rome, Italy? Jan made it a priority to travel with her family and friends, from trips back to Oklahoma to Thailand and Europe to Canada, Jan loved to travel.

Despite moving away from her childhood home and immediate family, Jan added to her family with the most amazing collection of friends, whom she cherished no matter time nor distance. You didn’t have to be related to Jan for her to consider you family.

Jan will be missed deeply by all who knew her. She is survived by: her brother “Eddie” Vandergriff of Hugo, OK, her two children Amanda Smeigh (Steven Taylor) and Seth “Toby” Smeigh of Columbus, OH, her granddaughter Nora Taylor, her two grand puppies Freddie Taylor and Lucy Smeigh, and numerous cousins, neighbors, and friends who were her extended family.

She is preceded in death by her mother Nora (Massengale) Vandergriff, her father Charles Edgar Vandergriff II of Hugo, OK, many cousins, aunts, uncle, friends, and beloved pets. We hope she is able to rejoin those who went before her and remember our love for her.

At Jan’s request there will not be a service. A celebration of life will take place later in the year. In lieu of flowers, Jan would prefer that you consider honoring her memory with a donation to:

LifeCare Alliance (Meals on Wheels)
Administrative Offices
1699 W. Mound St.
Columbus, Ohio 43223

Ohio’s Hospice
7575 Paragon Rd.
Dayton, OH 45459

Local Libraries