Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Smith (Daneker) passed peacefully on May 28, 2024, in Puyallup, WA. after a fierce battle with dementia. Kathy was predeceased in death by her beloved husband, Darrel Smith exactly twelve years later. Darrel was the love of her life and the bond they had was stronger than any other.

Kathy was born in North Canton, Ohio on November 15, 1950 to Beatrice Daneker and Rev. Paul Daneker, Sr. She graduated from Newport High School in Bellevue, WA in 1969 and Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in education in 1973.

Kathy was devoted to Jesus Christ and her faith, her family and especially to all her puppies over the years. Kathy was devoted and loved her family and raised all her nieces, nephews and "grandbabies" as her own. She warmed the room with her loving smile and forever positive personality. She took joy in the holidays, baking, and tending to her garden. She always stopped to smell all the flowers everywhere she went. She was the gracious and hospitable neighbor, always helping others and creating the best of friendships with her community. She was a strong and fiercely independent woman, passing those traits onto her nieces.

After a career in banking as a technical writer, and later running her own business, Kathy spent her retirement years volunteering her time to various causes and food banks, and enjoying her time with friends and family.

Kathy is predeceased by her beloved brothers, Paul R. Daneker, Jr. and Clayton E. Daneker, and survived by her sister, Christine F. Coffler (husband Duane) and sister in laws Sharon Daneker, Sandy Glover, Barbara Lynch, and her nieces Lisa Knudtson (husband Daniel), Tammy Coffler (husband Grant), Sarah Rudback (husband Matias), nephews Paul Daneker and Jason Daneker and grandnieces Morgan Knudtson, Jaylee Daneker, and grandnephews Jacob Coffler, Cameron Coffler, Sylis Leighton, and Owen Rudback.