Kathleen Diane Smith was born in Oceanside, NY on February 16, 1954 to John W. Martin and Janice Johnson. Kathleen was raised in West Babylon, NY. Kathleen attended “Our Redeemer Lutheran Church” & school in Seaford, NY 1st-5th grade. Kathleen moved to Richfield Springs to a farm house after 9th grade and attended Richfield Springs Central School where she graduated High School. Kathleen attended the Atlantic School of Airlines in Sept. 1972-Dec 1972 where she received a graduate certificate. Kathleen briefly moved to Arizona and worked at the Camel-back Mountain Resort as a waitress before meeting her husband back in NY when she returned home later. During her stay in Arizona Kathleen traveled to the Grand Canyon with friends to camp out, her favorite trip experience of her life.

Kathleen’s favorite retirement idea was moving out West again and living away from the city, living where the city lights can’t reach and you can see thousands of stars. She always dreamed of a large home with a wrap around porch, barn with low maintenance animals. Upon returning back home to NY, she met her lifelong partner Dennis Smith and moved to Florida shortly after. They briefly lived in Miami, then settled into Tampa apartments, then found a home in St. Petersburg where they both lived and stayed in a committed marriage for 30 years until her husbands death. Interestingly enough, their homes prior owner was Kathleen’s great Aunt, the home has stayed in the family since it was built in 1965 where Kathleen’s son now resides. Kathy would always take her kids to the beach to collect sand-dollars. There were many kids over for birthday parties with a clown and balloons for the first few years of her kids lives.

Kathy worked with Dennis in the cleaning business called “Armstrong Janitorial Services” in the 80’s and first half of the 90’s. Kathy switched around different jobs in the 90’s with insurance companies after Dennis injured himself and could no longer do the cleaning business. Kathy eventually settled into Hospice around 2000-2001 as a Volunteer Coordinator. Kathleen’s husband died in January 2006 and she took this opportunity to pursue a change and moved to Tennessee after she received a job offer with Hospice for a management position. Kathleen also adopted two German Shepherds in 2006 to help her cope with the loss of her husband, she was devastated when he passed for many months after. In 2008 her dogs would whine around her and she decided to see the doctor, that is when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It is presumed her cancer started in 2006 reaching stage 4 by 2008. Her whipple surgery and chemo started in 2008 and she moved back home to Florida, same home. It was only after all of these events did Kathleen begin her journey with Dog Tag Heroes making multiple appearances on Fox 13 News and Bay News 9 for her help with veterans. Kathleen’s mission from 2009-2015 would be to help veterans with PTSD by providing service dogs to veterans. Kathleen’s hobbies were arts & crafts, yard-sales which soon turned to Craigslist for selling her items. Kathleen had a gift to restore items and re-sell. Kathleen dreamed of opening her own thrift store with antiques and works of art. Kathy loved southern cooking, her favorite dish was baked macaroni. She loved to make spaghetti as a quick meal. Ebelskivers was a favorite family tradition meal as a substitute for pancakes.

Kathleen died on August 21, 2016 at her residence in St. Petersburg, a 10 year survivor of pancreatic cancer. Kathleen is survived by her son Dennis A. Smith of St. Petersburg, Florida and Jilliene Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada. 

A church service to celebrate the life of Kathleen Diane Smith is scheduled for Friday, August 26, 2016 at 10:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. The family will welcome the public at 9:30 am. Kathleen will be buried at Florida National Cemetery next to her husband Dennis.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that contributions can be made to the Kathleen Smith Memorial Fund. Please contact Veterans Funeral Care for details. Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign her guestbook below.