Jody L. Smith

Remsen- Jody L. Smith, 54, of Evans Road, wife of Melvyn, passed away while surrounded by the loving care of her family on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. Her brief illness and subsequent passing away was attributed to a very rare condition known as Relapsing Polychondritis, a type of auto immune disease. Jody was born in Rome, on July 7, 1964, a daughter of William E. and Janet S. Gleasman Rowlands. She grew up on the Evans Road, near Remsen and graduated from Remsen Central School, with the Class of 1982. Thereafter Jody furthered her education at The College of St. Rose, Albany, where she majored in Business. Later she earned her designation as LUTCF, from Prudential Insurance Co. For many years, Jody was employed as a life insurance agent for Prudential Insurance Co., New Hartford. In 2002, she and her husband, Melvyn founded The Smith Insurance Connection, of Remsen. At the present time Jody, Melvyn and their son, Craig is operating the agency. On February 24, 1990, Jody was united in marriage with Melvyn Mel Smith, at the Steuben Corners United Methodist Church. In 2016, Jody purchased the former Walters Hardware Store Building, on Main St. Remsen, where she opened and operated the Red Door Thrift Shop. For over twenty years, she and Mel, enjoyed selling cotton candy and candy apples at the annual Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts. For many years she and Mel, enjoyed traveling to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Mrs. Smith served as Town of Steuben Clerk and Supervisor for the Town of Steuben. In addition to her beloved husband, Mel, Jody is survived by two sons and a daughter in law, Craig (Amy) Smith, and their son, Charlie, Holland Patent, Keith Smith and companion, Brooke Gambill, Hilton Head, SC; a step son, Robert Smith, Blossvale, NY. At the present time, Jody was joyfully anticipating the birth of a granddaughter, Olivia, to be in January, 2019. She is also survived by her mother, Janet S. Rowlands, a sister, Jill (Michael) Will, and Bill, Rowlands, all of Remsen. Jody was predeceased by her father, William E. Bill Rowlands, in 2015, by her sister, Julee Schrader, in 1994, by her brother, Jeffrey, who died as an infant, in 1974 and her step son, Melvyn Smith, of Camden, in 2017. In keeping with Jodys wishes, there will be no public calling hours or services. Those desiring may contribute in her memory to the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation, via check to RPASF, Inc., 1202 Lexington Avenue, # 112, New York, New York 10028, or by Pay pal, by going to polychondritis.org Her arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville.