Charlene Joy Smith

P. DEAN HOMER FUNERAL HOME 206 WATER STREET PO BOX 1 DUSHORE, PA 18614 TEL 570 928-8163 FAX 570 928-8116 Email pdh@epix.net Charlene J. Smith 1948-2007 Charlene “Charn” Smith passed away peacefully on June 16, 2007 in her home in Eagles Mere, PA. She was surrounded by her beloved family as her valiant 13 year battle with breast cancer came to an end. Charn was born in Harrisburg, PA February 28, 1948, daughter of Charles and Evelyn Smith. She met her husband, J, at Central Dauphin High School where she graduated in 1966. After putting J through medical school, Charn gave birth to their first son, Brian. She later received her RN from Harrisburg Area Community College School of Nursing in 1977, graduating while 9 months pregnant with their second son, BJ. While raising her family in Harrisburg, Charn led an active life of nursing, philanthropy, and community service. She was a member of the Junior League, president of the Dauphin County Medical Society Alliance, and an active parishioner of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. She was the newsletter publisher for both her church and DCMSA, scheduler and volunteer for Harrisburg’s Ecumenical Food Pantry, and participated in countless other community activities. Despite her involvement in many activities, she was able to take classes to earn her BA as she graduated from Penn State in 2000, becoming the 4th member of her family as alumni to Penn State. She had recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer a few months before graduation, and she proudly held her diploma in the air, bald head with blue paw prints painted on it under her cap, after chemo took her hair for a second time. Through it all, she was a strong advocate for women dealing with breast cancer. She talked to women newly diagnosed, she was active in a breast cancer support group at the Hershey Medical Center, and helped develop the Show Me book. This book is a guide to women with breast cancer that describes, through personal stories and pictures of real survivors, what the various surgical and other treatment options are available to help a newly diagnosed patient (and her doctor) know what to expect and help them make more informed choices. Though born in Harrisburg, Eagles Mere become Charn’s second home. Charn discovered Eagles Mere through her husband, and learned to love the mountain and devote her energy to its many causes. She was president of the Eagles Mere Athletic Assoc., Beach Chairperson of the Eagles Mere Assoc., and member of the Eagles Mere Civic Club. She loved golf, the beach, and “docktails.” She was the Supreme Commander of the Boa Babes and Ultimate Dictator of the Ya-Hoos. She will be missed by her loving family: her husband, J; parents, Charles and Evelyn; children, Brian and Shana, BJ and Amy; precious granddaughters, Jessica and Hannah; siblings, Charles and Linda, Craig and Lynn; as well as numerous other family and friends. A celebration of Charn’s life will be held on Sunday, July 1st at 4 pm at the Eagles Mere Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Show Me Gift Fund for breast cancer survivors c/o Hershey Medical Center 500 University Drive,PO Box 852, Hershey PA 17033. Through her years of battling breast cancer, Charn taught us how to live life to the fullest, without regrets or hesitation. She was an inspiration not only to those struggling with chronic diseases, but to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming ‘WOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE’.” --Anonymous Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA. To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charlene Joy Smith, please visit our flower store.