Molly Muntzel Smith

Molly Muntzel Smith, age, 80, of Newport Beach, CA, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2011. Molly was a native of Portland, Oregon, where she graduated from Grant High School. She earned her Bachelor of Allied Arts in 1952 from University of Oregon, where she studied art. She was an enthusiastic member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was crowned Queen of Homecoming at the University in 1951. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco, California, where she was introduced to her future husband, Walker Smith, Jr., of Pasadena, California. In 1954, the pair wed in Portland, Oregon and established a home in Redding, California. Two years later, they moved to Redlands, California, and enjoyed the summer months in Newport Beach. In 1968, they moved permanently to Newport to raise their family and enjoy a wonderful life.

Molly loved life, her family and friends. She continued her interests in art and painting throughout the years and was active in many service and charitable organizations, including Assistance League of Newport Beach, Cinderella Guild of CHOC, Palm Springs Pathfinders and Lido Island Women’s Club. She remained involved with Kappa Alpha Theta and was a Lifetime Member of The Visionaries of OCMA. She loved to reminisce about her involvement with the fledgling Newport Harbor Art Museum and volunteering to hang artwork in its Balboa Pavilion gallery. Molly was a supporter of the Pathfinder Ranch organization in Garner Valley, California, which has provided summer camping experiences to thousands of Boys and Girls Club members over the past 45 years.

She is survived by her husband, Walker Smith, Jr., daughter Kim Smith, sons Walker Smith III and Clarke Smith, and four grand-children, all of Newport Beach, CA. Private services were held at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, CA. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in Molly’s name to The Pathfinder Ranch, 35510 Pathfinder Road, Mountain Center, CA 92561. www.pathfinderranch.com