Jessica Elizabeth Smith

Our beloved daughter, mother, sister, life partner, and friend, Jessica Elizabeth, has left us- with deeply felt love, cherished memories, dozens and dozens of laugh lines, and the not so gentle lesson of competition.

Jess was strong, stubborn, fiercely independent, and loved with her whole heart. She jammed to early boy bands, had an affection for garden gnomes, cats, birds, The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Reds, and enjoyed cheering on the Blue Jackets.

The love Jess gave will continue to ripple through the lives of the people she loved most. She leaves behind her daughters, Maysa (Lee) Rhoads, Lenah Beitshawish, and Rylee Smith, who were the greatest source of her pride. She leaves the love of her life, Mark Wendeln, and bonus daughter Mary; her mother, Connie Kobal; her sisters, Jennifer Smiley-Clay and Jodie Catalano; her nieces Jenna, Jasmyn, Sophia, Lucy; her nephews Ronald, Giovanni, Nicholas, Vincent, and so many extended family members and dear friends.

Our family would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to Jess's employer, CED, and especially to her boss, Daniel Nunn. Your compassion, and unwavering support meant the world to Jess, and it meant just as much to those of us who love her.

To the incredible staff at Ohio Hospice House, especially Nurse Dawn and aides Heather and Angela-thank you. You cared for Jess with such dignity, gentleness, and kindness.

If you'd like to honor Jess, do it her way. Cheer for the Buckeyes. Root for the Reds and the Blue Jackets. Feed the birds. Buy yourself a garden gnome. Water a plant. Pet a cat. Blast some early boy bands. Take all the pictures. Love your people a little harder. Tell them how much they matter.

And whenever you have the chance...

Fuck cancer and Fuck the Michigan Wolverines.