Miriam Esther (Sess) Smith (1923 - 2021)

Born 22 Dec 1923 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio

Ancestors

Wife of John Lincoln Smith MD — married 22 Jun 1946 in Buffalo, Erie, New York

Died 30 Dec 2021 at age 98 in Solana Beach, San Diego, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jillaine Smith [send private message]

Biography

Miriam was born 22 December 1923 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, oldest daughter and first child of John Otto Sess and Henrietta Katherine Albert.^[1]

In 1930, the family lived in Cheviot, Hamilton, Ohio.^[2]

Shortly thereafter, Miriam's father's job moved the family from Cincinnati to Buffalo, New York.

In 1940, the family lived on Lisbon Avenue.^[3]

After graduating from Kensington High School in 1941 (possibly the first graduating class of what was then a new high school), Miriam attended then graduated from University of Buffalo.

On 22 Jun 1946, Miriam married John Lincoln Smith who she had known from grammar school and had started dating in college.

They lived for awhile in a small apartment not far from downtown Buffalo. Their first of four children was born in August 1947.

After a short stint in Fort Sill, Oklahoma (where John finished his US Army service), the couple moved to Southern California, initially settling in Van Nuys,^[4] then an apartment in Long Beach, before building their own home on Ramillo Avenue not far from the Veterans Administration Hospital where John pursued a career in radiology.

Miriam would fondly describe their arrival in California. It was raining so hard that they pulled over at a rise in the road, fearing flooding. As they waited to see what would befall them, an ice cream truck, playing its silly tune, drove calmly down the street, and they somehow knew that all would be fine.

Miriam went on to raise four children-- three daughters and a son. John moved the family south, over the years, initially to Laguna, then to La Jolla, California. As her children got older, Miriam became a volunteer at Scripps Clinic where she served for many years.

After their youngest completed high school in 1977, the couple settled into what would be their last home in Solana Beach. They lived on Santa Helena Court Park until Miriam's death there on 30 December 2021.

Miriam and John loved to travel and also attended painting classes for many years.

Miriam was committed to aging in place, and she got her wish. A week after turning 98 years old, she died in her own home surrounded by all four of her children, with her husband of 75 years holding her hand.^[5]

Miriam on religion:^[6]

Remembers the Sesses going to the United Brethren church in Cincinnati. Miriam attended Sunday school until age 10 when her parents moved the family to Buffalo. Her parents (John O. Sess and Henrietta) did not go to church. Once in Buffalo, Miriam and her sister, Eleanore, went to Sunday school at the Methodist church at the intersection of Minn. & Bailey. Recalls attending the Cleveland Hill Evangelical church in the 8th grade because "friends went." Recalls attending with a friend in high school the Evangelical and Reformed church intersection of Hewett & Park Ridge avenues. Reverend Froney. She remembers he drank beer and played golf. When the Sess family moved to Kenmore (when Miriam entered college), her mother, Henrietta joined the Presbyterian church. Miriam also joined and taught Sunday school to boys for about half a year while she was a senior in college. Was married there.

Obituary

In the presence of her four children and husband, Miriam Esther Sess Smith died at her home in Solana Beach, California on 30 December 2021. She and family had recently celebrated her 98th birthday. Miriam had been a resident of San Diego County for 55 years.

Miriam was born on 22 December 1923 in Cincinnati, Ohio, oldest child of John Otto Sess (1900-1966) and Henrietta Katherine Albert (1903-1987). The family moved to Buffalo, New York about 1933; she graduated from Kenmore High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from University of Buffalo. She married John L. Smith the day of his graduation from medical school in 1946. After a couple of years completing John’s military service in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, the couple moved to California where they raised four children in Long Beach, Laguna Niguel, and La Jolla. The couple settled in Solana Beach where they lived independently until her death.

Miriam and John enjoyed travelling, including trips to Europe, China, and Australia, and were early participants in the U.S.-based elder hostel movement. Miriam served many years as a volunteer “Yellow Lady” at Scripps Clinic, including being the group’s president. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, and needlepointer, and also enjoyed painting classes with John for many years during their retirement. Miriam and John celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary last June at a large family reunion.

[edited to remove names of living:] Miriam is predeceased by her parents, and a sister Eleanor Dye; she is survived by: her husband; her four children and their spouses; seven grandchildren and ten (soon to be eleven) great-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews, along with many in-law children and grandchildren past and present – all of whom loved her dearly.

Respecting Miriam’s wishes, no funeral services will be held, but the family welcomes memories. ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Interviews with Miriam Smith, as conducted various times by her daughter, Jillaine Smith 1998-2008, Solana Beach, California.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RCW-7YR?cc=1810731&wc=QZFQ-RT7%3A649446001%2C649705201%2C651656501%2C1589285955 : 8 December 2015), Ohio > Hamilton > Cheviot > ED 336 > image 12 of 36; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MB-WQVQ?cc=2000219&wc=QZXR-56W%3A790105101%2C801047501%2C802039701%2C802043301 : accessed 18 October 2023), New York > Erie > Buffalo City, Buffalo, Ward 17 > 64-353 Buffalo City Ward 17 (Tract 43 - part) > image 19 of 34; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
4. ↑ 1950 US Census: California > Los Angeles > Los Angeles; sheet #40 (image 41
5. ↑ Direct experience of daughter Jillaine Smith, 30 December 2021
6. ↑ Interview with Miriam S Smith, by Jillaine Smith, June 2002, Solana Beach, California
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235586215/miriam-esther-smith : accessed 11 January 2022), memorial page for Miriam Esther Sess Smith (22 Dec 1923–30 Dec 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 235586215, ; Maintained by Jillaine Smith (contributor 46790631) Cremated.