Lillian Smith

HURST -- Heaven reclaimed one of its angels. Longtime Mid-Cities piano teaching pioneer Lillian Smith peacefully passed from this life with her husband at her side on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010.        Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday in Lucas Funeral Chapel in Hurst. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.        Memorials: The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Lillian's life do so by donating to the Mid-Cities Piano Teachers Association, 1916 Pine Ridge Drive, Bedford, Texas 76021.        Lillian Marian Thokar was born on Sept. 19, 1929, near Pittsburgh, Pa., to Ruthenian immigrant parents. In 1950, Lillian moved to Tarrant County, where she lived almost continuously until her passing.        On May 8, Lillian celebrated her 60 wedding anniversary to her sweet husband, James L. Smith, with whom she had four children, Paul, Pamela, Robin and Jason. Lillian was a devoted wife and committed parent who was proud of her children's accomplishments, including Paul's life as a musician, which included competing in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Pamela's Ph.D. in political economy and service as a public policy analyst, Robin's artistry as a full-time mom, and Jason's advocacy as a civil rights attorney.        A beautiful, strong and independent woman, Lillian returned to college in the 1960s to obtain a bachelor's degree in sociology from University of Texas at Arlington while raising her children. But music was the primary passion of Lillian's life.        Lillian professionally taught piano in Northeast Tarrant County from the late 1960s until summer 2010. Giving lessons both in her warm home and at the Trinity Arts Center at the Bedford Boys Ranch, Lillian was heartened by exposing children to the beauty of playing the piano. Lillian both adored and challenged her students, not only teaching them notes, but instilling life lessons such as the value of hard work and "practice makes perfect." Many of Lillian's students were accepted into prestigious music programs such as University of North Texas and Berklee College of Music. Lillian was active in leading the Mid- Cities Piano Teachers Association, the Sonata Club and the Sonatina Festival to become vibrant music forums that expanded and raised the standards of music education in Northeast Tarrant County. Northeast Tarrant County is alive with the music and lessons that Lillian Smith shared.        Lillian also loved to travel and experience different cultures, visiting over 20 European countries with her husband. Lillian had an understated wit, a love of ideas, a weakness for nachos, a fondness for Mozart and commitment to helping those in need on a "hands on" basis. Lillian, a staunch liberal Democrat, served as a Democratic precinct chair and was elected a delegate in support of Walter Mondale to the 1984 Texas Democratic Convention.        Lillian was a member of the Unitarian Church and was comforted in her final days in reciting Psalm 23 that she learned as a school girl.        Survivors: Lillian is survived by her husband, James L Smith of Hurst; son, Paul Smith of San Rafael, Calif.; daughter, Pamela Smith Martin and her husband, Robert Martin, of Dallas and their son, Philip; daughter, Robin Lincke and her husband, Eric Lincke, of Golden, Colo., and their daughters, Maureen, Lydia and Beatrice, and son, Theo; and son, Jason C.N. Smith and his wife, Jessica, of Fort Worth and their twin son and daughter, Brennan and Sloan. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lillian Smith please visit our Sympathy Store.