Janice Florence Smith

Janice Florence Smith, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and faithful servant of God, passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on August 21, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on January 19, 1943, Janice lived a life defined by faith, humility, kindness, grace, and unwavering devotion to her family. She touched countless lives through her gentle spirit, compassionate heart, and ability to make everyone she met feel loved and welcome.

Janice is survived by her son, Blaine Smith, and his wife, Natalie; her daughter, Alina Dawson, and her husband, Chad; and her cherished grandchildren, Cameron, Chase, Trent, Payton, and Carlea. Janice was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly forty years, Alden Willard Smith (05-25-1937 – 03-14-2003). They were married on April 6, 1963, at the Mariners Chapel at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, in a military wedding. Their marriage was a remarkable partnership built on love, friendship, faith, and shared adventure, while navigating the twists and turns that life offers us all. While Alden’s passing left a void in her heart, those who knew Mom (affectionately known as Grandma by her grandchildren, and Grandma Smith by everyone else) understood how deeply she cherished his memory and looked forward to the day they would be reunited. Today, her family takes comfort in knowing they are dancing together once again.

Janice was born into the Danielson (German and Swedish descent) family to Herbert and Florence Danielson in Cambria Heights, New York (Queens), where her father was a 40-year NYPD officer and her mother was a full-time mom. She is survived by her brothers, Herbert Danielson and George Danielson and his wife, Linda. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cynthia. She was honored and blessed to be “Aunt Janice” to 6 nephews, 3 nieces, and over 10 grandnephews/nieces, and more than 6 great-great grandnephews/nieces.

Janice graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1960, earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1963 from Hofstra University, where she was part of the Dance Club and Rifle Club, and earned a master’s degree in 1965 from Queens College (CUNY). Professionally, Janice dedicated her career to helping others as a speech therapist, serving children and families for approximately three decades from elementary school through high school in Prince George’s County, MD, working three days a week, affording her the opportunity to be a professional as well as a stay-at-home mom while raising her children. She approached her work with the same compassion, patience, and encouragement that defined every aspect of her life.

Janice and Alden built their family home in Crofton, Maryland, from 1969 to 1996, where they raised their two children, Blaine and Alina. Together they provided a loving home filled with faith, laughter, learning, friendship, and opportunity. Their home became a gathering place where neighborhood friends were always welcome and lifelong memories were made. Their family life centered around the Crofton Swim & Tennis Club, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and a community of friends who became family. Upon retirement in 1996, Janice and Alden fulfilled a lifelong dream by settling in Rodanthe, North Carolina, in the Outer Banks, where they enjoyed the beauty of the sea, breathtaking sunsets, and a circle of cherished friends to play golf, have dinners, and serve the local community extensively. They were instrumental in bringing healthcare and benefits to the local Fire Departments of the Outer Banks.

Following Alden’s passing, Janice moved to Frederick, Maryland, where she spent sixteen years building many new friendships in her Crestwood Village community, attending Frederick Keys baseball games, playing board and card games, traveling abroad, visiting her brothers in Oklahoma, and spending countless hours in the community pool. Living 15 minutes away, she was an inseparable part of her son Blaine and daughter-in-law Natalie’s family, actively engaged in virtually every academic, athletic, holiday, vacation, community, church event, or gathering all those years. During those years, she volunteered in the hot dog shack on game day, worked part time at Costco, taught Sunday school, watched over 200 youth baseball games, attended dozens of dance recitals, and vacationed dozens of times with her grandchildren to Cape Charles, VA, to spend time “tubing on the Chesapeake Bay.” She was simply “Grandma” to every child and friend in the neighborhood as well as everyone who knew Janice, and her presence became woven into the daily fabric of family life and community—a constant source of love, laughter, wisdom, kindness, honor, humility, and faith.

As Janice began to need more support in 2019, her daughter Alina, a physical therapist, helped her move to Lansdowne Woods in Leesburg, Virginia, where she remained active and independent with the support of Full Distance Physical Therapy and Wellness. Janice inspired the creation of a comprehensive program of physical and occupational therapy, personal training, fitness classes, companion care, and social opportunities tailored to her needs. When COVID-19 closed the clubhouse, Janice moved into Alina and son-in-law Chad’s home in Purcellville in 2020, beginning a special chapter of family life. She loved watching her grandchildren play sports, playing cards and Rummikub, and sharing everyday moments together. In 2021, she moved with them to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where she especially enjoyed worshiping weekly at Calvary Chapel SML, listening to praise music, attending Full Distance socials at Mariners Landing, watching Gilmore Girls, playing games with caregivers, boating, watching 4th of July fireworks, and floating on the lake. Living with her daughter and family gave her the special joy of being part of their everyday lives, staying closely connected to her adult grandchildren as they grew into their own lives, and taking genuine interest in all they were doing.

Throughout these years, Janice was surrounded by an exceptional team of caregivers, therapists, trainers, and friends who gave generously of themselves and received her warmth, humor, gratitude, and love in return—an exchange of abundance that enriched everyone involved. Jenni Taylor cared for Janice faithfully for five years, with Summer Rosser becoming an integral part of her care in her final years. Janice came to love them as family, treating them as daughters of her heart.

In her final weeks, Janice received hospice care, music therapy, and visits from family, friends, and her church family. Her final evening was filled with stories, laughter, and familiar music, and her daughter remained by her side through the night, holding her hand and keeping watch. As the sun rose, Janice peacefully passed into the arms of her Lord with Blessed Assurance playing: “This is my story, this is my song.”

Janice’s life was marked by faith, love, family, and a quiet strength that touched all who knew her. She leaves behind not only cherished memories, but an enduring legacy of love in the hearts and lives of those who were blessed to care for her and call her family. Those who knew Janice will remember a woman who embodied selflessness. She never sought recognition, did the right things even when they were the hard things, yet she made a lasting impact everywhere she went. She taught by example, showing those around her how to treat people with respect, compassion, humility, and grace. Confirmed in 1956 through the Evangelical Lutheran Church, her faith guided her life, her family anchored her heart, and her legacy lives on in the generations she helped shape. Though her body grew weary in recent years, her mind remained sharp, her faith steadfast, and her love for those around her unwavering. She faced life’s challenges with courage, grace, and an abiding trust in God. While her family mourns her passing, they celebrate a beautiful life and find comfort knowing she has been welcomed home by her Savior and reunited with the love of her life.

A celebration of Janice’s life will be held Sunday, September 6, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Smith Mountain Lake, 15267 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA 24104. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather and celebrate her life, faith, and the love she shared with so many.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Janice’s memory by extending kindness to others and living with the same faith, humility, grace, and love that she shared so freely throughout her life.

In keeping with Janice’s legacy of compassion and service, her daughter, Alina, plans to establish a nonprofit to support individuals and families through the final stages of life. More information about this work will be shared by the family in the future.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9