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Judith I. Smith

Posted 11/19/06

Judith I. 'Judy' Smith, 65 DOVER - Judith I. "Judy" Smith of Dover died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, in her home, surrounded and embraced by her loving and devoted family and friends. She was 65. Mrs. …

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Judith I. Smith

Posted
Judith I. 'Judy' Smith, 65

DOVER - Judith I. "Judy" Smith of Dover died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, in her home, surrounded and embraced by her loving and devoted family and friends. She was 65.

Mrs. Smith was born Oct. 29, 1941, in West Wratton, England, daughter of the late Alfred and Florence Raper.

She was raised and schooled in Newmarket, England, where she lived until marrying.

She was a devoted mother and homemaker while her husband was in the U.S. Air Force, and in April 1981, she and her husband bought and operated East Dover Laundromat until it was sold in October 2006. She was renowned for her meticulous cleaning and helpful nature at the laundromat. Customers would come from all over because she and her husband "kept a clean and neat business, and the machines were always working," as they often said.

Mrs. Smith will be sadly and deeply missed and always loved by her entire family and friends, who knew her as a loving symbol of class, loyalty and fun. She loved to laugh and joke with her family and, although stern when she needed to be, was always there when any in her family needed her. There will not be a day go by that her family will not think of her or ask themselves what Mom or Judy would do or think of. She was there as a voice of reason and comfort for her family and friends, and a sounding board for all. She was a fan of rock and roll of the 1950s and '60s, often winning dance contests while a teenager. Later, she became a fan of country music and NASCAR racing, particularly Dale Earnhardt until his death, and recently Dale Earnhardt Jr. She also was a bowler in several leagues around Dover, particularly the Crescent City Bowling League at Dover Bowl. However, her greatest joy in life came from her husband, children and grandchildren, each of whom loved and admired her deeply and without reserve.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Ralph Smith of Dover; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Stephen D. and Donna Smith, and Darren Smith, all of Dover; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Vicky and José Sosa of Dover, Karen and Calvin Stephenson of Hartly, Donna and Albert Peinado of El Paso, Texas, and Lisa Smith of Dover; seven grandchildren, Heather, David, Alexandra, Daniel, James, Alan and Sarah; two step-great-grandchildren, Ashli Callison and Amber Callison; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Sylvia and John Wade, and Nicky and John Blakie, all of England; four brothers and four sisters-in-law, John and Tina Raper, Jeremy and Wendy Raper, Ian and Carole Raper, and Ricky and Samantha Raper, all of England; two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, June and Russell Crisler of Tamms, Ill., and Sue and William Alvis of Jackson, Tenn.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and a cherished and loving special friend, Doreen Stevens of Dover, and her family.

Services will be 8 p.m. Monday in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, where friends may call at the funeral chapel from 7 to 8 p.m.

Burial will be at a later date.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Bayhealth Foundation, c/o The Cancer Center at Bayhealth, 640 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901; or to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. Du Pont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and guest register signed, at www.torbertfuneral.com.

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