July 3, 1940 - June 22, 2024

Renate Smith passed away peacefully with her daughter, Karen, by her side on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at The Birches, Newtown.  She was 83.  Daughter of the late Heinz and Gerda (nee Meta) Hollbach, Renate was born in Berlin, Germany on July 3, 1940.  Renate met the love of her life, Ronald “Schmitty” Smith, while he was deployed in Germany to aid in United States Military Intelligence efforts.  Ronald returned to the United States, and he and Renate communicated by mail for four years, before Ronald proposed to her in a letter.  She soon came to the United States, the two were married, and they settled in their first home in Fallsington, Pennsylvania, where they lived for many years.  Their adventures led them from there to Cincinnati, Ohio, then to Sun City, South Carolina, where they were then happily retired.

More than anything, Renate enjoyed spending time with her children and her grandchildren — who lovingly knew her as Omi.  She and Schmitty cherished spending time together, were devotees to the daily crossword, enjoyed bowling, and loved to travel.  Renate was known to be the life of any party, and filled every room with joy and laughter.

Predeceased by her loving husband, Ronald “Schmitty” Smith, and her son, Steven Smith, she is survived by her daughters, Christel Brown, and her husband, Donald, Karen Laureti, and her husband, Arthur, and Julie Schroeter, and her husband, Jerry.  She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Morgan Hill (John), Lauren Custenborder (Taylor), Sara Laureti, Andrew Laureti (Luke), Margaret Schroeter, and Keifer Smith, and her great-grandchildren, Jack, Sophie, Emelia, and Cooper.  She is also survived by her brother, Wolfgang Hollbach (Brigitte), and her niece, Claudia Kern.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 12 noon at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough.  Interment, private.  Friends may pay respects from 10:00am until time of Service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org/goto/renate-smith.

Service Details

In Memory of
Renate Smith

Upload a photo or write a condolence in memory of your loved one