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Jeri Ann Schilling Smith, 58, died at her home in Albuquerque on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, surrounded by friends and family. After a courageous two and a half year battle with ovarian cancer, the Lord took her gently into His arms. Jeri was born to Robert and Betty Schilling in Jefferson, IA. At the age of ten, she moved with her family to Albuquerque, NM. She graduated from Clayton (NM) High School in 1968, attended New Mexico Tech for one year, and received her teaching degree from Western New Mexico University in 1972. Jeri taught second and third grade in Kermit, TX for two years before returning to New Mexico to pursue her calling as a nurse. She attended the University of Albuquerque where she was trained as a Registered Nurse. She had a special calling to work with babies. She worked at the UNM Newborn Intensive Care Unit for many years caring for the most vulnerable babies and their families. After an extended hiatus from nursing, during which she engaged in several successful entrepreneurial ventures, she returned to UNM Hospital where she was the charge nurse for the newborn nursery. Jeri wed Matthew W.F. Smith in 1982 at a ceremony in her parents' home in Socorro, NM. Together they created and operated several entrepreneurial ventures including the Cybersmith company which developed and manufactured instruments for infant hearing testing, and the Family Hearing Centers of New Mexico, where Jeri was the President and CEO. Before returning to her nursing career, Jeri was a successful Mary Kay director where she made many friends, and helped to develop alternative careers for a many women. Jeri touched so many lives through her work as a teacher, nurse, and business woman. She touched many more as a clinical trial participant at the UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center. Although she knew that the treatments would not save her life, and would make her quite uncomfortable, she undertook them cheerfully so that other lives might be saved in the future. Her brilliant smile, infectious giggle, positive attitude and genuine caring for the well being of others was an inspiration to the Cancer Center staff and patients alike. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Jeri enjoyed craft work, reading, and music. She was comfortable on any stage beginning with her performance of "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey" at the age of three in the Jaycee's Variety Show in her home town of Jefferson, IA. She also performed several supporting roles in high school musical productions. She loved the stage and singing, and had a beautiful voice. She loved her family and took great delight in watching her nieces and nephews grow up. She plans to keep an eye on them throughout their lives and looks forward to their great reunion in Heaven. Jeri is survived by her devoted husband Matt; by her parents Robert and Betty Schilling; by her brother John Schilling, his wife, Martha Schilling, and their children Buddy, Rachel, Emily, and David Schilling, all of Albuquerque; by her sister Jo E. Schilling and partner Judy Polenske of Edmonds, WA; by Matt's sister Dee Forrest, her husband Jim and their children Mary Seppie and husband Bryan Seppie and their children, Kyra and Tasha Seppie, Michael Forrest and his wife Whitney and their son Kaelen, all of Rock Springs, WY; by Matt's sister Sally Hinkebein, her husband Tom and their children David Hinkebein of Albuquerque, Amy Harmon and her husband Chris Harmon of Georgia and their children Ashley and Caitlin Harmon, and Heidi Thiele, her husband Greg Thiele, and their children Kathleen and Karissa Thiele, of Texas, Matt's foster sister Joanne Goodman and her son, Aaron, of Albuquerque; by her dear friends Sandy Szwarc and Caren Swain, both of Albuquerque, Margaret Darling of Pagosa Springs, CO and by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents John, Mary, and Helen Schilling, and Roscoe (Bud) and Ruby Kiner, all of Greene County, IA. Cremation has taken place. At Jeri's request her ashes will be dispersed in a private ceremony. A public Memorial Service for Jeri will be held Saturday, October 11 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, (7834 Tennyson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122), followed by dinner for all in the church's fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, Jeri and her family request that donations be made in her name to All Faiths Receiving Home (1709 Moon St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), or the charity of your choice. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com Funeral services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd, NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
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