Sherre Jon Owens Smith

Sherre Jon Owens Smith, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, May 4, at age 85. Sherre was born in Marion, Illinois to Walter and Helen Owens. She spent much of her youth in Portland, Oregon, and maintained lifelong ties to Oregon, spending summers and other long periods on the coast in Lincoln City. Moving to New York City for college, she graduated from The City College of New York, earning a bachelor's degree in art history. After moving to Champaign, Illinois with her family, she earned a Master of Arts from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1967. She moved to Toledo with her family in 1967.

Sherre’s professional life included working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, teaching English and Art History classes at the University of Toledo, and serving as administrative secretary for the downtown Toledo Rotary Club. As an active member of the League of Women Voters during the 70’s, Sherre championed active participation in the political process and non-partisan voter information efforts.

She found community in her beloved neighborhood, the Old West End, and looked forward to spending time with friends and family on her porch during the annual Old West End Festival and throughout the year. She also found community at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Toledo, where she served on the vestry and volunteered in many other capacities.

Left to cherish her memory are children Gavin (Trish Hausknecht) Smith and Sara (Sean) Whalen; grandchildren McKenzie Smith and Austin Smith; sister Trisha Kie (Tom Fernandez) Owens and many dear friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Stephen Owens.

A visitation will be held at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home (222 E. South Boundary St.) on Friday, May 10, from 4 pm to 7 pm. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, downtown, on Saturday, May 11 at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.