Jayne Rockafeller Smyth, Longtime Jersey Shore Resident, Dies

Courtesy of Reilly Bonner Funeral Home

Mrs. Jane Rockafeller Smyth passed away peacefully at home the afternoon of May 7th surrounded by her family. Born in Long Branch, NJ in 1925 to Dr. Eugene and Janet McNeil Rockafeller, she spent her childhood with her older brother, Eugene F. Rockafeller, Jr. and cousins, Harry and John, who were like brothers. Growing up in various towns along the Jersey Shore, Jane attended Star of the Sea Academy in Long Branch. Jane loved to ride horses, especially around the family home in Manasquan and their farm in Glendola that later became Rockafeller Estates.

She enrolled in Georgian Court College in Lakewood and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School, where she met her future groom, Thomas L. Smyth, Jr. of Allentown, PA.

Married in February of 1950, the Smyths settled in Belmar, before being briefly stationed in Georgia during the Korean War, and returned to Belmar to start a family. Dr. Smyth was an orthodontist on Main Street and, in the later years, Mrs. Smyth worked alongside him in his office. She was an active member of St. Rose R.C. Church for over 65 years. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, including various roles on their executive board, and as a soloist and organist. Jane and Tom were honored to be installed as a Lady and Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Jane is remembered fondly by those close to her for her fun, adventurous personality, sweet tooth, love of family, and dedication to her faith.

After her beloved husband passed in February, Jane was supported by her surviving family, including seven children and spouses; T. Kevin and Linda Smyth of Arvada, CO, Mary Eugenia and Joseph Murray of Montgomery Village, MD, Siobhan Maple of West Belmar, Owen and Catherine Smyth of Linglestown, PA, Sean and Dina Smyth of Shrewsbury, Jeanette and Tony Yannazzone of Belmar, and Jane and Richard Melsky of Little Silver; her twelve grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Kerry, Patrick and Lane, and Meghan Murray; Joshua, Andrew and Jacqueline, and Sarah Maple; Thomas and Rachel Smyth; Samuel and Nicolas Smyth; and, Anthony and James Yannazzone; her dear cousin, Maj. Gen. Harry J. Rockafeller, USA(ret.); Sally Bonner, Marjory Laux, and Sue Mueller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing at St. Rose Church in Belmar from 3:30 p.m.until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Rose R.C. Church. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12with interment following at St. Catharine's Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane Smyth's memory may be made to the Rosary Altar Society, c/o St. Rose Parish, 603 7th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719. For further information or to send condolences to the family, please visit reillyfuneralhome.com.