Catherine E. (Malsch) Smith

Catherine Elizabeth Smith, 97, of Brentwood, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Catherine was born in Pittsburgh to Ferdinand and Ida Malsch on August 20, 1918. She went to Carrick High School and graduated in 1936. Shortly thereafter she met the love of her life, Charles Foster Smith, a Brentwood High School graduate and they were married in 1939.

Catherine was well known in the local and regional arts and crafts community and many referred to her as "The Angel Lady" because of the unique angel designs and themes that she created over the years. She also managed to take on a series of personal projects using her crocheting skills and turned them into her personal ministries. Among these were baby blankets for Children’s Hospital, caps for children suffering from cancer, slippers and scarves for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and most recently the creation of a prayer bear for a unique group of veterans that had served the country in Vietnam and were now aging and becoming ill with various related illnesses. She also made a number of teddy bears for hospitalized children.

Catherine has been a member of Spencer United Methodist Church since first meeting her husband, Charles (better known as Chuck) in 1937 and as such was one of the oldest members of the congregation.

Catherine is preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her brother Ray, two sons, David and Darrell, and great granddaughter Madison Rae Middleton.

Catherine is survived by two sons, Donald Smith of Humble, TX and Dennis (Susan) Smith of Canonsburg, PA. A host of grandchildren, Beatrice (Kirk) Hummel of Houston, TX, Edward, Mark, Brian, Denise (Ryan) Middleton, Duane and Daniel Crough of Pittsburgh. Followed by the great grandchildren, Cory, Courtney and Ciersten all of Baldwin and Austin, Logan, and Caden Middleton of Upper St. Clair. Of course we cannot forget the great great grandchildren, Gabriella and Gracie of Baldwin.

Visitation will be held at Readshaw Funeral Home 1503 Brownsville Road, Carrick on Monday, March 28, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday March 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home.

Interment Jefferson Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.