Phyllis Smith Obituary

Phyllis Jean Cook Smith

Phyllis Jean Cook Smith, of Findlay, died early Sunday, April 21, 2204, at Bridge Hospice Care Center, nearly three years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer.

She was born in 1938, in Bourbon, Indiana, the eldest child of Nelson and Olive Cook. She graduated as salutatorian from Bourbon High School and later received a BS degree with distinction in Home Economics from Purdue University. The best memories of her time at Purdue centered on the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and she thought of herself as a "Zeta Sister" the rest of her life. Later, she returned to Purdue and in 1973, received a master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.

In 1960, she married Richard Tombaugh with whom she had two children, Brian and Brad. Following a divorce, she took on the responsibility of raising her sons by herself. In 1973, she married Richard Smith and this past December, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

After moving to Findlay in 1979, she taught school for 22 years, first at Millstream Career Center as a job-training teacher and later at Findlay High School where she worked with pregnant and parenting teens to instill good parenting skills and help them graduate. She was a dedicated teacher who brought out the best in her students, many of whom told her later how much they appreciated her encouragement and personal attention in school.

Pastimes included Saturday morning chats (by phone) with her sister, getting together with the children and grandchildren, lunches and sewing projects with the church's Caring Hands group, photography (having learned a lot from her father and son Brian, both professional photographers), traveling with her husband, and reading and discussing books through her church's book club.

Phyllis will be remembered for her positive, gracious, and compassionate nature. She could light up a room with her genuine smile and friendly manner. Her joy for life, sense of humor, and love for family and friends were contagious. Family relationships were important for her and she always looked forward to family reunions - sharing news, looking at photos, and recalling good times from the past. Few sisters ever enjoyed a closer lifelong bond than she and her dear sister Delores (Dee), who died earlier this year.

She was a loving spouse, a caring and proud mother of two responsible and successful sons, and someone who thought the world of her two grandchildren and precious great-granddaughter.

She is survived by her husband, Rich; sons, Brian and Brad; grandson, Eric; granddaughter, Melissa; great-granddaughter, Ariya; and many cousins.

Phyllis' memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, 205 W. Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. A brief visitation until 1 p.m. will follow for offering condolences.

Memorials may be made to Cancer Patient Services or "The Rich and Phyllis Smith Philosophy and Humanities Scholarship Endowment Fund" (through The University of Findlay Advancement Office).

Online condolences may be shared with Phyllis' family at coldrencrates.com.