Obituary - Gene Smith Paca

PACA, Gene, 95, passed away on May 4, 2021.Gene was born in Richmond on February 10, 1926. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Winchester Paca, Jr.; her parents, James Guthrie Smith and Ann Wright Smith, step-mother Major Miller Smith; and her siblings, Ann Smith Dunn, James Guthrie Smith, Jr., John Miller Smith, Mary Lou Smith and Otey Miller Smith. She is survived by her children; William W. Paca III (Mary), Guthrie Smith Paca, Helen Paca Blackwell (Carl), Robert Tilghman Paca (Pat); her grandchildren; Sarah Ashby Paca, Maria Blackwell McAllister (Ryan), Elizabeth Claye Paca (Alan Kates), Eliza Blackwell Conrad (Matthew), Margaret Smith Paca and Anne Corbin Blackwell; and her great-grandchildren, Peyton Fleming Conrad, John Whitmore Conrad, and Margaret Fleming McAllister. She attended St. Benedict’s School, St. Catherine’s School and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Leonardtown, Maryland, as well as Immaculata Junior College in Washington, D.C., Gene worked at J. Taylor Hogan, Inc for 20 years. She was an avid tennis player in her younger years. She enjoyed group exercise classes at CCV as well as long walks with friends. She was among the first group of volunteers when St. Mary’s Hospital opened. She had a sense of humor, loved to laugh, was gracious, outgoing, and friendly. Her Catholic faith and St. Bridget’s Church were an integral part of her life. Many thanks to Theresa Hunt, Neema Caregivers, and the Hermitage Richmond especially the staff at Maguire Park and Orange Blossom for their compassionate care. There will be a service for family at Bliley’s – Central with interment at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Chestertown, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Commonwealth Catholic Charities.