Cecilia Smith

Cecilia Smith (nee Garhammer) has died, May 26, 2024 at the age of 85 years old. She resided in Dayton, Ohio for 67 years; and most recently a resident at Maria Joseph Living Center. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Smith, who passed in 2015. Cecilia is survived by her three children, Rick G. Smith, Peggy S. Weiss (Jack), and Michael R. Smith; granddaughter, Rebecca (Brian) Overholser, and great grandchildren, Aidan and Ava Overholser. She is preceded in death by her parents, Agnes ) Markert and Heinrich Garhammer, and brothers, Helmut, Rudolf, and Arther Garhammer.

Cecilia was born on September 4, 1938 in Bad Kissingen, Germany. She met her Army husband, Kenneth, in Germany in the late 50's and moved to Ohio to have a family. Cecilia was a stay at home mom while raising three children, and was a meticulous housekeeper. Later she worked at JC Penny as a seamstress and a machine operator at CM Products. She attended Our Lady of the Rosary Church and often worked in the school cafeteria when her kids were young. She loved and sorely missed her hometown in Germany. She frequently traveled back home to visit with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers, and friends. She loved German food, especially cakes and sweets and would bake a Bundt cake every week. Cecilia always had pets such as dogs, chickens, and cats; she liked animals so much- they were her constant companions. She enjoyed watching her great -grandchildren when they were pre-school-age, this kept her feeling young. Cecilia enjoyed walking, riding her bike, clothes shopping, and fifties music.

In her memory, please take a walk in her honor, volunteer with an Alzheimer's group or simply cheer Prost!

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 12pm at Willow View Cemetery, 2500 Neff Road, Dayton, Ohio 45414 where both Cecilia and Kenneth will be laid to rest.