Irene C. (Horvath) Smith

Irene C. (Horvath) Smith, “Connie”, age 90, died peacefully on June 12, 2023.  She was born on April 8, 1933, in Toledo, Ohio. She grew up in Oregon, Ohio and graduated from Clay High School.  She met the love of her life, Thomas E. Smith at Pearson Park, in the summer of 1952, while playing ping pong at the shelter house. Connie and Tom were married on December 26th, 1953, in Oregon, Ohio. They were married for 68 years and together had three daughters: Julie, Deanna, and Dawn.

Connie was a beautician – opening her own shop on Corduroy Rd. in Oregon, where she cut, permed, and styled clients for many years.  She was also a secretary for the Toledo Edison and worked in the office at Seaway Carpet. She was a long-time member of St. Ignatius Church.

In her free time Connie enjoyed golfing and spending time with her family. If you knew Connie, you knew she had a deep love of the game of golf and had many fond memories on the Chippewa Golf course. Connie and Tom spent many years golfing with friends in the Ma & Pa league at Chippewa.  They also enjoyed traveling with friends on golfing trips.  Connie was an accomplished golfer with a low handicap of 18.  She got a hole-in-one at Chippewa, on the 9th hole, on July 5, 1989.  She also qualified and played in the Toledo women’s district championship for a number of years placing 4th on three occasions.

She simply loved working in the yard and caring for beautiful flowers.  In her later years, Connie loved crossword puzzles and adored watching the birds and squirrels outside.  She had many feeders and perches.  Her favorites were the robins, cardinals, and finches but, most of all, hummingbirds.  So much so – at about 55 years old, Connie got a tattoo of a hummingbird on her ankle!

Connie is survived by her three daughters, Julie Smith, Deanna (Tom) Donahue, Dawn (Todd) Schiavone; granddaughters, Olivia (Ryan) Laberdee, Lindsay (Kyle) Row, and Hayley Schiavone; and great-grandson Grady Laberdee.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband Tom, brother Andrew Horvath, and parents Julia (Mezei) and Andrew Horvath.

The family will receive friends at the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd., Oregon, Ohio on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a service from 7:00-7:30 p.m.  Memorial contributions in Connie’s name can be directed to St. Ignatius Church, Oregon, OH.