Helen Carol Smith

Helen Carol Smith (Carol), of Silver Spring/Rockville MD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2024.  She was 86 years old.

Carol was born on Jan 23, 1938 to Francis and Helen Schwoerer, of Bethesda/Chevy Chase, MD. She graduated from The Academy of the Holy Cross in 1955; then attended Georgetown Visitation Junior College where she received her AA degree.

She was active in the Young People’s Club at her home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, where she met her future husband, Bob.  They were married in 1957, and stayed married for 64 years.

Their first home was on the army base of Fort Chaffee, AK, after Bob was drafted into the army. Their first son was born there in 1958.  Returning home after discharge, they moved into a small home in West Bethesda after the arrival of their daughter in 1959; soon followed by a third son in 1961.  The family moved to a bigger house in Rockville/Potomac in 1963, where they spent most of their life.

Having three children in diapers at the same time was hard work.  But these were golden days of swimming at the community pool and getting to the beach at least for a week each summer.

Once the kids were in high school, Carol went back to work as a financial secretary at Wootton High School in Rockville.  Later, she moved up to the Textbook Division for Montgomery County Public schools. She took over the helm for the Textbook Division briefly before her retirement in 1996.

Carol and Bob moved to the Leisure World retirement community in Silver Spring in 1997. In Leisure World, Carol initially chaired the Turnberry Courts Activity Committee and was an active member of the Leisure World Chorale. She joined the Fun and Fancy Theater Group where she also developed deep friendships.  She sang and acted in many Fun and Fancy musicals as well as Gilbert and Sullivan productions and monthly shows.

After her husband died, Carol moved to Buckingham’s Choice retirement community near Frederick, MD. A progression of health issues preceded her passing.

Carol is survived her daughter and 2 sons; 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.  Carol was predeceased in death by her husband, her parents and sister.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church - 4101 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD- where the Visitation will begin at 11am in the vestibule.  The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30am. 

A private interment will be held at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. on Friday October 11.