Jane Cornell Smith; Retired Teacher, Principal

Jane Cornell Smith, a former teacher and principal at a private girl’s high school in North Hollywood who launched the school’s first major fund-raising campaign, has died in Van Nuys. She was 74.

Mrs. Smith began teaching English in 1966 at the Argyll Episcopal Academy, which merged in 1983 with its sister school, Campbell Hall, a coeducational elementary school. She served as principal of Argyll from 1973 to 1976.

A Calabasas resident, Mrs. Smith died Saturday of complications of leukemia, said her daughter, Stephanie L. Heng.

In addition to teaching and serving as principal at Argyll, she was chairwoman of the English department from 1971 to 1980. A lover of literature and vocabulary, she instituted a summer reading program for her students.

In 1976, Mrs. Smith established the Office of Development and Alumni for both Argyll and Campbell Hall, which are located on one campus and operated by the same board of directors. As the founding director of the organization, she raised several million dollars that were later used to built a gymnasium and science and math building, said Ann Izzi, assistant headmaster of Campbell Hall.

Born Sept. 1, 1915, in a farmhouse in Leaf River, Ill., she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis., in 1937. After raising her children, Mrs. Smith taught junior high and high school in Illinois before moving to California in 1965.

Mrs. Smith retired in 1984, but served two additional years as a consultant to the school.

She is survived by a son, William C. Giese of Dallas; a daughter, Stephanie L. Heng of Calabasas; and five grandchildren. She will be buried in Leaf River, and a memorial service is planned at Campbell Hall in September. Arrangements were made by Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village. Donations may be made in Mrs. Smith’s name to the City of Hope.