Viola Marie Smith

Viola Marie Smith, aged 95, died in Costa Mesa on October 16, 2008. She was born to Henry and Emma Rohlfing on December 10, 1912 in Steelville, Illinois where she grew up on a farm which she remembered fondly as “the home place.” She married Bertren I. Smith on August 27, 1936 and moved to Costa Mesa where she has lived for the last 72 years. She and her husband of 62 years were very proud and active citizens of Costa Mesa. Her husband joined the volunteer fire department in 1938 which meant Viola volunteered as well. They moved to the fire station on Rochester Street in 1941 where she answered the fire phone and sounded the alarm for 9 years. Along with her husband she participated in the Newport Harbor Costa Mesa Lions Club and then later joined the Costa Mesa Lions. She was also a long time member of the Santa Ana Country Club and the Newport Harbor Lutheran Church. Viola had a very long and full life. She is remembered by friends and family alike as having a wond

erful sense of humor and a mischievous smile. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Smith, and her son, Jack Smith. She is survived by two daughters, Roxanna Hill and Cecille Allison, a daughter-in-law and two sons-in-law, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.