Claudia Jean Smith

Claudia Jean Smith, née Ernst passed away peacefully in her long-time Saint Paul home on December 21st, 2022. Claudia was born in Newberg, Oregon on August 3rd, 1936 to Lester and Kathryn Ernst. She attended Saint Paul Academy and graduated from Saint Paul High School in 1954. Claudia was a passionate, intelligent and outspoken individual with diverse interests. Prior to marriage, Claudia studied at Seattle University, and later at Marylhurst University. She was an accomplished pianist with a profound love of music. She devoured periodicals and never failed to send off family and friends with hand-clipped articles that she felt were relevant and timely. Well into her 70’s, Claudia could be found in her chaotic but beautiful garden, sculpting, deconstructing and creating again, all under the guidance of home and garden magazines (if that month’s article featured a French garden, all the better). She excelled as a home chef, drawing from her extensive library of cooking books, albeit never quite following the recipe to the letter. The Ernst family roots were of particular fondness to Claudia. She was proud of her ancestral ties to the French region of Alsace and unapologetically loved French style and culture. She loved to dine at French restaurants (La Provence Boulangerie was a recent favorite), and she decorated her home with French Country-inspired elements. She often spoke of fond childhood memories of Ernst family gatherings, filled with music and gregarious discussion. In 1990, she fulfilled her dream to visit France and to further understand her heritage. With few exceptions, Claudia spent her entire life living in, and fully engaged in the community of Saint Paul. Her door on Riverside Drive was always open, and she was a more than willing host to anyone and everyone that stopped by for a chat…the longer the better. Claudia was a fixture at community events and loved to “make the rounds”, socializing with all and getting the latest community news. She was a long time Saint Paul Rodeo member who volunteered her time each year. In 2018, she was inducted into the Saint Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame alongside her husband Sam. When the “Art Tent” made its appearance at the Rodeo, Claudia enthusiastically supported the organization and the artists, both with time and in patronage. A lifelong Catholic, Claudia was dedicated to her faith. In 1989, she received a Master’s in Theology from Mt. Angel Seminary. For many years, she volunteered her time as a pianist, accompanying the choir for Sunday Mass for St. Mary’s Church in Mt Angel. Claudia loved Epiphany and celebrated this special time of year by gathering friends and family. In 1959, Claudia married the love of her life, Sam Smith, a man she had known – by all accounts – since at least kindergarten. Claudia and Sam briefly found themselves in Eastern Oregon living and working on a family ranch. Missing their community, they quickly found their way back to their hometown, built a home on a picturesque site by a lake near the family hop farm and raised five children. Claudia’s strong dedication, love and support of her family and community was enduring and appreciated. Claudia is survived by her husband Samuel Smith of Saint Paul, OR, preceded in death by her oldest daughter Jennifer Crosby, survived by daughter Kay Smith of Donald, OR, son Montgomery Smith of Saint Paul, OR, daughter Jeanne Zielinski of Salem, OR and daughter Stefanie Smith of Portland, OR. Claudia is also survived by grandchildren, Blake and Jacqueline Crosby, Megan Meadows, Colton Ford, Jake, Dylan, and Glenn Allen Smith, Claire and Sofia Zielinski and Declan Sagen, and great-grandchild, Carter Pipkey. She also leaves behind a cherished and well-fed resident nursery of raccoons and a clowder of barn cats. To honor Claudia’s passion for her faith, music and her community, please send any donation to: St. Paul Parochial School; in memo “Music Program”.

Tributes

Claudia Jean Smith

August 3, 1936 - December 21, 2022