Obituary of Krystyna Teresa Smith

Krystyna Teresa Smith, 70, passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2018.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Jozef and Czeslawa Miesak.  Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of almost 48 years, David Smith; sons, Winter J. Smith and his wife Kellie, Zachary A. Smith and his wife Meredith; brothers, Edward Miesak and wife, Iebe; Henryk Miesak; sisters, Aleksandra Rohde, Izabella Moony and husband, Bill; Anita Schneider and husband, Jon; Barbara More and husband, Don; grandchildren, Aiden Smith, Ryan Smith, Isaac Smith; and a host of other family and dear friends.

Born to Polish parents in a displaced persons camp in Heilbronn, Germany, Krystyna immigrated in 1950 with her parents and her sister Aleksandra aboard the refugee ship USS Langfitt from Germany to New Orleans, where it docked on Christmas Day.  They settled in Amarillo, Texas, and she spent her formative years in both Texas and Connecticut. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Texas Tech University, where she met and married her husband David. After graduation, Krystyna and David moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised their sons in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Krystyna was a skilled cook, and delighted in trying new and interesting cuisines, adding an appreciation of New Mexican food to her love of traditional Polish recipes.  To add fresh ingredients to her recipes, Krystyna enjoyed gardening and was able to grow lush vegetable gardens in the desert of New Mexico. Krystyna is the oldest of 7 children and maintaining a strong family connection was of utmost importance to her.  She enjoyed visiting her sons and their families as often as possible and recently moved to Pearland which allowed her to spend more time with her three young grandsons. Krystyna enjoyed all kinds of crafts, including knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, designing and creating her own clothes and purses, and most recently coloring. Some of her family’s prized possessions are the hand-crafted gifts she has lovingly made for them over the years, from quilts and blankets to clothing to knitted animals and creatures—all unique creations. Krystyna was a devout Catholic whose strength and faith helped her navigate through the many joys as well as challenges in life including surviving breast cancer.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

A Memorial Mass for Krystyna will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Rd., Pearland, Texas 77581 with Father Jim Courville officiating. The family will begin recieving friends prior to the service at 9:00 am. Flowers can be sent to the church or dontations can be made to the charity of your choice.