Corinne Jacqueline Michelle Smith

Corinne Jacqueline Michelle Smith passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29, surrounded by family after a battle with cancer. She was born on a U.S. military base on August 18, 1952 in Frankfurt, Germany to Albert Richardson and Jacqueline (Sautel) Richardson.

Corinne grew up between Frankfurt, Germany & Orleans, France. Upon turning 18 she moved to Paris to attend school where she met friends she would have for the rest of her life. After working in Paris, she took a job with Club Med taking her to countries all over the word like Mauritius Island, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Eventually she moved to New York City with a plan to travel all over the US but fell in love with NYC and never left. She worked for a tour company and helped translate English for tourists who spoke French and German.

During a fateful bus ride after work, she befriended a man named Kelley Smith. That night she told her best friend Ellen, “I have a feeling about this guy.” Six months later she moved to Oak Harbor, Ohio where they eventually married and raised three children.

Corinne often volunteered her time with various causes, notably the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center (OCFAC), specifically Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She was also a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. She loved animals, especially dogs, and could speak four languages — French, German, English and Spanish. She was widely known for her delicious Caesar salad, zucchini bread and lemon cookies. And let us not forget her effortless ability to speed behind the wheel.

Corinne is survived by her husband of 40 years, Kelley, her son, Yaneek Smith, daughter, Sabrina (Chris) Guthrie, Derek (Ashley) Smith, grandchildren Jameson and Isla Guthrie, her brother Jean Pierre Villard and numerous relatives. The care she received at Stein Hospice was very appreciated by the family.

Visitation hours will be Wednesday, November 9, from 5-8pm at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Gideon Owen Wine Company, 3845 E. Wine Road, Port Clinton, Ohio Thursday, November 10, from 5-8pm with sharing of memories and stories to begin at 6 pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center