Sara Ewing Smith
Sara Ewing Smith, 84, of Washington, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Concordia Hospice of Washington, Donnell House.
She was born at home December 29, 1937, in Jeromesville, Ohio, a daughter of the late Guy J. and Anna Louise Lawton Ewing.
She was a 1955 graduate of Hillsdale High School. She went on to attend Florida State University, where she obtained her B.S.N. in 1959. In May 1978, she was awarded a M.S.N. from Duquesne University. She continued her studies toward her doctoral degree at New York University.
Sara began her tenured nursing career at The Washington Hospital, where she was an instructor for the School of Nursing. In 1974, she accepted employment with Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va., where she held various positions in her 30 years at the hospital. Among those were: med-surge nurse; clinical instructor; associate director for the OVMC School of Nursing; and director of the School of Nursing. In 1988, she was promoted to director of nursing of the hospital, and held this position until her retirement in 2003. 1988 was also the year she worked in conjunction with West Liberty State College, now West Liberty University, to implement the B.S.N. program. In the mid 2000s, she served as interim director for this program.
Her life was one dedicated to serving others, both professionally and in the community. Some of her volunteer work included establishing the Meals on Wheels Program in Washington County; Daughters of Current Events Club; and Washington County Mental Health Association board president. In 1976 she was the first female recipient of the Jaycees’ “Distinguished Service Award,” formerly known as “The Man of the Year” award, in recognition of her endless volunteer work in the community. Most recently, she served as a volunteer at The Washington Hospital as a patient family-centered care advocate.
She was a longtime, active member of the Church of the Covenant in Washington, where she served as one of the first female deacons, one of many leadership positions she held within the church.
On August 12, 1962, she married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” C. Smith, who died February 7, 1982. While married to Dick, she enjoyed being a wife, homemaker, and stay at home mother, until both of their daughters began attending school fulltime.
She enjoyed spending time with her friends and her family, especially her grandson and granddogs, traveling, reading, gardening and playing bridge.
Surviving are two daughters, Shannon (Jack) Meyers of Oakmont and Shellie (Mark) Popeck of Washington; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Drenik of Los Angeles, Calif.; two brothers, Alan G. Ewing of Norwalk, Ohio, and Gail R. Ewing of San Carlos, Calif.; a sister, Treva E. Croskey of Knoxville, Tenn.; a grandson, Anthony J. Popeck, and many of Anthony’s friends who referred to Sara as “Grandma Sara,”; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a sister, Shirley E. Dillon.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. At 7 p.m., a brief ceremony given by The Angels of Allegheny will be held honoring Sara’s nursing career. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 18, in The Church of the Covenant, with the Reverend Scott Shetter officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Church of the Covenant, 267 E. Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301; the Donnell House at www.concordialm.org; or to the Washington City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301 or www.citymission.org.
Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor and Andrew C. Piatt, director.