In Memory

Linda Jagels (Smith)

 
Bill Taebel sent this obituary for Linda Jagels Smith. October 19, 2009
 
Smith, Linda Marjorie Linda Marjorie Smith

Linda Marjorie Smith, 66, of Jacksonville died early Wednesday morning August 5, 2009, in The University of Washington Medical Center after a 16-month struggle against leukemia. Her husband, daughter, and sister were at her side. She was born December 9, 1942, Linda Marjorie Jagels, in Orange New Jersey, the first child of George and Marjorie Jagels. She spent her childhood in New Jersey with a brief stay in Kentucky. She attended Montclair High and Penn State University then obtained an MBA from Portland State University later in life.
She was a management accountant for Rogue Community College as well as Harry and David Corporation, retiring June 1, 2009. She took pride in her responsibilities, working full time from home during the battle against her illness. In 2001 she and her husband, Hubert, adopted their 3-year old granddaughter Natasha Nicole who survives her.
Earlier she had worked for Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Records Division in New York and Los Angeles. She received a gold record at retirement and once miffed Gene Kelly when she inadvertently walked through his solitary rehearsal for a dance routine. She was a devoted mother to Natasha, loved to travel, and a voracious reader. She accompanied her husband to Bolivia and Mexico for extended periods in rural areas and won the respect of their hosts for her devotion to hard work and simplicity. She had fought and won two earlier battles against other cancers.
She is survived by her husband Hubert and daughter Natasha as well as grandchildren Maja and Nathan. She is also survived by her sister Janis McAdams of Wyckoff, New Jersey. Also surviving are uncle Warren Monsees, cousins Susan Garten, Gregg Monsees, and Bob Woehling. Cousin Laura Monsees and aunt Dorothy Monsees preceded her in death.
She loved her many cats and is survived by Mike and Michelle. She tolerated her dogs, Heemie and Jack.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to research in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center PO Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109.

Published in the Mail Tribune on 8/7/2009