Ann Smithcors
In loving memory of Ann Smithcors, who passed away on April 21st, 2023, in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 89.
She was born to Kathleen and Ronald Jackson January 26th, 1934, in Chorlton England and baptized March 29th, 1934, at St. Michael & All Angels Bramhall Parish Church. She grew up in England with her sister Sheila Heap. She had many wartime memories, was a Rose Queen, had many adventures in Girl Guides, was a Queen’s Guide (one of three in England), went youth hosteling, played tennis, and swam. She obtained her nurse’s training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, commonly known as Barts, in London in 1953. She practiced midwifery in Cambridge and Sale, England, delivering more than 200 babies.
Ann travelled to the United States in 1960, where she continued in the nursing profession until 1982. She married Larry D. Hunt in 1962, and they welcomed their daughter Lynn (Fortner) in 1963 and their son Mark in 1964. They were married for 16 years. She married J. Fred Smithcors in 1982. She enjoyed sharing his life as he practiced his veterinary profession and travelling both in the United States and overseas. Fred was a loving and devoted husband and father-figure to Lynn and Mark. After a love match of 25 years, he died in 2006. He encouraged her volunteerism, and after his death she continued to give of her time and energy to Hospice of Santa Barbara (40 years), Dream Foundation, Transition House, the Mother Bear Project, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, and to her church. She travelled as often as she could, visiting over 56 countries during her life. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, making stained glass items, gardening, camping, cooking, her many friends, and her home.
Ann truly believed in community and service to that community. She was well known in the Hidden Valley neighborhood for her walking and driveway conversations, and for sharing sour gummy bears with the children. And everybody got to enjoy the English shortbread she made. Selfless, generous, kind, thoughtful, a big heart, a giver of life, a source of inspiration, passionate, and brave were just some of the traits that highlighted her personality. Ann was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. Ann touched the lives of so many people and will be deeply missed by everyone.
Donations can be made in Ann’s name to Hospice of Santa Barbara or Dream Foundation, where she volunteered, or to Direct Relief (Santa Barbara, CA) or ShelterBox USA (Santa Barbara, CA), both of which organizations were important to her. A memorial service will be held Saturday June 17th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church 909 N La Cumbre Road, Santa Barbara.