Evanston Obituary: Joan Barr Smith

The following obituary is courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

Joan Barr Smith was the only child born to James and Mildred Worthy and lived in Rogers Park until she was four and then moved with her parents to Winnetka. She graduated from New Trier High School, received her Bachelor1s Degree from Syracuse University and her Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. In early 1962 she moved to Evanston. She served two years as President of the Dewey Community Conference, in 1977 she was elected alderman from Evanston’s Second Ward; she was reelected in 1981. She was elected as the first woman mayor in Evanston in 1985, and reelected in 1989.

While in office she was active in numerous municipal and mayoral organizations. She served as President of the Northwest Municipal Conference, and was on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and served that organization as chair of the Woman Mayors group.
During her two terms as mayor there was a strong concern about economic development and relationships with Northwestern University. Much of the infrastructure work on the area of downtown where shops, offices, a hotel and movie complex now thrive was done during her term of office. Originally conceived as a joint project with Northwestern for a planned research park, land was acquired and infrastructure built which facilitated the private development which now exists in that area. Other issues that were addressed and accomplished during her tenure were a new main library, authorization of the sale of liquor in package stores, successful redevelopment of the old Marshall Field1s building, the construction of a parking garage and office complex where there once was a parking lot at Church Street and Chicago Avenue, the redevelopment of the section of Howard Street where the Best Buy and Target now thrive. After elected office she worked for and retired from the State of Illinois Dept. of Employment Security as the Deputy Director for Administration and Finance. This remarkable woman, in addition to her other accomplishments was also an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church. After her public life and into retirement she maintained a rather active life helping others in any way she could.

She is survived by her husband Wayne Smith of Bonifay, Florida. Two daughters, Debra Nee of Evanston, II., and Jennifer Bell of Silverton, Oregon, three grandchildren Patrick Nee of Evanston and Emmett and Murphy Bell of Silverton, Oregon, one son-in-law Kevin Nee of Evanston, Two step sons, Wayne J. Smith II of Sandown, New Hampshire and A. Christen Smith of Londonderry, NH, two step grandsons, Ean and Neale Smith of Sandown, NH.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday March 28, 2015 10:00 am at to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077 or the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood St, Evanston, IL 60201

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Saturday March 28, 2015, 10:00 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1500 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201
Click for Map and Directions