Patricia Smith Wallner, 78, of Marietta passed away on February 23, 2011. Patricia is a native of Marietta, born in a house on Harmar Hill overlooking her beloved Marietta on July 13, 1932. Her parents were Herbert U. and Pearl B. Smith. She attended Marietta High School, Stephen's College for Women, Michigan State, and Ohio University, earning a B.A. in early elementary education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She taught kindergarten and first grade in Orange School in Shaker Heights, Ohio and in Lowell and Marietta. Later, she worked as a special education teacher in Little Hocking and was a substitute teacher in the Marietta area. She was married and had two children. Patricia was a passionate community leader devoted to developing the cultural arts community in Marietta and helping young children. She served as President and in other leadership roles on the Marietta Community Concert Board of Directors, the American Association for University Women (AAUW), and the Child Conservation League (CCL). She worked with the Drama Department at Marietta College to coordinate live theater experiences for young school children in Marietta and surrounding school districts. She served on the Corporation Board of the Betsey Mills Club. She was also a Den Mother of Webelos Scouts from the Marietta Children's Home. In recent years, she served as historian in the National Society for Arts and Letters. Patricia was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and enjoyed working with the young children of the church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, and greatly enjoyed helping children with the church's After-School Tutoring program. She always tried to make the world a better place. She loved beauty, music, animals, nature, and children. She was a passionate supporter of classical music, the historic preservation of Marietta, and young children. She loved teaching piano to many area students. She enjoyed poetry and was always eager to learn something new. Patricia loved Marietta College and liked being able to say that she attended every graduation ceremony since the 1960s. She is survived by her son John Wallner of New York, daughter Kathleen Wallner (Rich) Allen of Annandale, VA, and grandchildren Eric and Elizabeth Allen. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Maxine Besosa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday February 28, 2011 at Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta, with the Rev. Don Archer officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home, where the family will be greeting friends from 2 to 5 p.m. It is suggested that memorial donations may be made in memory of Patricia to the Marietta Community Foundation, P.O. Box 77, Marietta, Ohio 45750. Cawley & Peoples Funeral Homes offers on line condolences by visiting their website, www.cawleyandpeoples.com.
