Joan Marie Manning Smith, 73 of Huntington Beach, Calif. died at home Monday, Feb. 13, 2006 from A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Joan was born to Thomas J. and Florence Meehan Manning on Oct. 31, 1932 in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Joan married Osbourne G. Smith Jr. on Nov. 24,1955 at Saint Augustines Catholic Church in Larchmont, N.Y. The couple made Larchmont their home until 1973 when Ozzie took an early retirement from the Larchmont Fire Department and moved their family to Huntington Beach, Calif.

Joan devoted her entire adult life to being a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend and neighbor as well as “second mother” to many children. Joan adoringly raised her six children and was very involved with her grandchildren. Joan will forever be remembered as a very patient, loving and kind person whose heart and home was always open. Joan’s spirit will live on in all who knew her, but her physical presence is a void that will never be filled. Joan enjoyed all the time she spent visiting Whidbey and all the wonderful people she met here. She had hoped to move to the Island.

Joan is survived by her six children: Kim Kramer (Ken) Langley; Kevin Smith, Costa Mesa, Calif.; Thomas Smith, Huntington Beach, Calif.; Craig Smith (Jeannie) Newport Beach, Calif.; Kerry Rains, San Bernardino, Calif.; and Pamela McGreevey, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Joan is also survived by her grandchildren, Lindsey Read (Brian), Bothell; Christopher Taylor, San Francisco, Calif.; Courtney Taylor, Langley; Bree Nelson (Jordan), Freeland: Kale Kramer, Freeland; Cassidy, Kayla, Chris and Kyle Smith, Newport Beach, Calif.; Lauren and David Valdez, San Bernardino, Calif.; and Marty and Caden McGreevey, Huntington Beach, Calif.; and great-grandchildren, Kole and Brody Nelson, Rayanna and Kayla Valdez.

Joan is also survived by her brother Thomas J. Manning of Lake Havasu City, Nev., and nieces Tiffany Ellis (Joe), Corona, Calif. and Tammy Cales (Jack) Carmel, Ind. and their children who were all very special in her life. Joan was preceded in death in 2005 by Ozzie her husband of 49 years. Joan’s parents also preceded her in death.

Arrangements are being taken care of by The Neptune Society of Orange County, Calif. A private ceremony is planned.