Joan Smith, 88

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. – Joan Gertsacov Smith died Feb. 20 at Holy Cross Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Agnes (Garfinkle) Gertsacov and Edward Gertsacov, Joan had lived in West Palm Beach since 2005. She previously lived in Moorestown, New Jersey, and owned a private law practice until her retirement over 20 years ago. Joan graduated from Rutgers Law School. She was a former member of Temple Emanu-El, Willingboro, New Jersey.

Joan was president of the local League of Women Voters and was a strong advocate for civil rights.  She cared deeply about the welfare of those with less. Joan was an avid reader and passionate gardener. Her family was the highlight of her life.

She was the devoted mother of Naomi Smith Duerr and her husband, Herb Duerr, of Reno, Nevada, Jeffrey Orleck Smith and his wife, Barbara Goldblatt Smith, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, David Garfield Smith and his wife, Pamela Gardner-Smith, of Eagleville, Pennsylvania, Andrew Harrison Smith and his wife, Maria Valencia Smith, of Coral Springs, Florida. She was the dear sister of Charles Cove of Weston, Florida, and the late Alan Avram Gertsacov of Providence. She was the loving grandmother of Joshua, Jeremy, Lisa, Carla, Zachary, Nicole, Erica and Michelle. She was the cherished great-grandmother of William, Elizabeth, Cole and Finn.

Contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to the Joint Distribution Committee at www.jdc.org, or Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

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