SANDRA GUSTAVSON SMITH's Obituary
SANDRA GUSTAVSON SMITH
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, attorney, community leader and friend to many was gently carried into Jesus’s arms on July 19th, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. She was 86 years old.
She was born in 1937 in Rockville Centre, New York. Mrs. Smith graduated from Mt. Holyoke College. She obtained a BA Degree with Distinction in Music and studied elementary education.
Mrs. Smith and her family lived in Boston, MA, Bloomington, Indiana, Pittsburgh, PA, and Chagrin Falls, Ohio before settling in Gainesville, in 1968. She was a realtor for several years and entered the University of Florida College of Law, graduating in 1978 with the Juris Doctor degree with Honors. One of her fondest memories, she said, was that weekend in May 1978 when her eldest son also graduated as Valedictorian of Oak Hall School. Together they hosted a double graduation celebration for family, friends, and faculty of both schools.
While a law student Mrs. Smith was elected to the University of Florida Law Review where she served as Executive Editor. Mrs. Smith joined the Clayton Johnston Law Firm as an associate in 1978 and became a partner in 1986, practicing real estate, probate and family law.
Mrs. Smith’s church and community involvement prior to her law career included being a soloist at First Lutheran Church. She had a beautiful soprano voice and loved singing in the choir. She loved her grandchildren, and her favorite moments were with them.
She travelled the world with her husband David. Their travels included Europe, Africa, the Soviet Union, New Zealand, Australia, and South America. They had many wonderful adventures together. But even more, she loved her quiet weekends at their St. Augustine beach condominium.
Following law school, she served on the United Way Allocations Committee from 1990-1994, as a Director of the Children’s Home Society, a Director of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, as a founding member and President of the Gainesville Woman’s Forum, on the Board of the Florida Woman’s Alliance, was President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Pilot Club of Gainesville, and was a founder of the Gainesville Area Investment Network. She was a graduate of Leadership Gainesville XIII. While a member of the Gainesville Woman’s Club she served as legal advisor and helped create the Nursing Home Volunteer Axillary. From 1990-1998 Mrs. Smith served on the Pilot Scholarship House Foundation Board, an organization which built scholarship residences at UF and FSU. She served as President for two years.
Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, Professor David T. Smith of Gainesville; three sons, Dr. David T. Smith Jr. of Orlando, FL Douglas A. Smith of Atlanta, GA, and Daniel H. Smith of Gainesville, FL; eight grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Jennifer, Brittany, Daniel Jr., Derek, Matilda, Joseph, and her daughters-in-law, Maryanne Smith, Erika Smith, and Cynthia Smith. Mrs. Smith also had four great grandchildren, Sloane, Scarlett, August, and Stafford Smith.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Gustavson and Arthur Gustavson, along with her brother Art Gustavson. May she find eternal peace in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father as she reunites with her parents, brother, and all who went before her. And may we find comfort in the cherished memories we shared with her during her time on Earth.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to First Lutheran Church of Gainesville. There will be a “Celebration of Life” Service at Williams Thomas Funeral Home Westarea at 2pm on Saturday, July 27th located at 823 NW 143rd Street, Newberry, FL 32669. Burial will follow immediately after the service. Forest Meadows West Cemetery is located across the street from Williams Thomas Funeral Home.
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