Jean G. Smith, 81, of Ogden Dunes in Portage, Indiana, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, after a short illness. Mrs. Smith was born in Astoria, NY on November 5, 1934. She was the beloved wife of the late Dean B. Smith.

Mrs. Smith retired from the Orland Park School District in Illinois, where she was employed for 31 years as a math teacher, science teacher, principal and director of instructional services. She was a driven proponent of education and championed women's advancement. She had several advanced degrees and was a mentor for many. Her passions were reading and traveling.

She is survived by her daughter, Holly Mellis (Tom) and granddaughters Marina and Vanessa, of Princeton, NJ; her daughter Lisa Smith, of Ogden Dunes in Portage, IN; by her brother Kenneth Gibb (Hope) of Matawan, NJ and niece Christina, of Woodside, CA; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Dirk Smith (Natalie, dec.); and is survived by granddaughter, Deanna, of Chicago, IL.

There will be a private memorial service this summer in Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org) or Heifer International (http://www.Heifer.org).