Deborah Lynn Smith

Deborah Lynn (Debi) Smith entered our lives on December 18, 1950, and left us much too soon on July 12, 2015, the 25^th of Tamuz, 5775. She was buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Fairview, NJ on July 14, 2015.

Debi was the beloved wife and companion of Henry (Hank) Smith. She was the mother of April Smith-Hirak and Gregory Smith and mother-in-law to their spouses Ofir Hirak and Maxine Barish Smith.

Debi was the grandmother of Daniella Elizabeth Smith-Hirak and Natalie Fiona Smith, whom she met only before they were born but loved unconditionally. Debi became the Grandmother of Maya Avery Hirak on December 9, 2017, and we know that Debi would have given Maya Avery the same unconditional love that she would have given to Daniella Elizabeth and to Natalie Fiona.

Debi was the Sister of Cecile Levy, Martin Peltz, Rozlyn Mann, and Jill Gelber. She was an Aunt to 12 Nieces and Nephews, a Great-Aunt to 18 Grand-Nieces and Nephews, and a Great-Great-Aunt to 8 Grand-Nieces and Nephews. As far as each one knew, they were each Debi's favorite as she loved every one of them.

Debi was a true friend to all who knew her; she was the person you called when you needed to talk because she understood you and was there for you.

Debi's greatest passion was children and their education, both Jewish and secular. She was trained as a Special Education Teacher, but her true passion was psychology, through which she understood you and your situation. She used this knowledge in many ways, whether "guiding" the Paradise Valley School Board (in Phoenix, AZ.) to agree to alter their calendar to not give tests or teach new materials during the Jewish High Holidays, or in her volunteer work as a Child Advocate ensuring that the children achieved as much as possible in thier schooling by, if necessary, forcing the teacher, school and school district to accomodate the needs of that particular student. Debi was respected (and at times feared) by those in positions of school authority, yet came to be seen and used by them as a vehicle to align the needs of students with their teachers, their school, and their school district.

As a result of her love for Jewish Education and her work to help unaffiated Jewish children in Greenville, SC have an immersive Jewish educational experience that could positively affect their future, the Debi Smith Camp Gan Israel Educational Scholorship Fund has been created to honor Debi and link us to Debi's love for children and their Jewish Education; for information go to: www.cgiupstate.com and click on the Scholorship Fund in the drop-down menu.