Nancy C. Smith

Our dear mother, Nancy C. Smith passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2026 at the age of 86 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Nan was born December 10, 1939 in Oklahoma City, OK, daughter of Dr. Donald Bard McMullen and Elizabeth Jean Jones McMullen. She received her bachelor's degree from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA in 1962 and her master's degree from State College of Iowa in 1964. On April 10, 1966 she married Riggs Alden Smith at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Riggs died May 21, 2011.

The couple lived in Montrose, PA, then moved to Endicott, NY. Nan was an art teacher at Vestal Central School District. In 1966 the couple bought their cottage in Fishers Landing and spent summers here until moving to The River year-round in 1989 following her retirement.

Nan was a member and volunteer for the Handweaving Museum, Antique Boat Museum, TILT, Save the River, and the Opera House, all in Clayton, NY. She also was a member and volunteer for Quilters Guild and the Embroidery Guild in Watertown, NY. She enjoyed painting, needle work, and was an avid gardener.

As a child, her family would summer at ‘Bug Camp’, known to most as the University of Michigan Biological Station at Douglas Lake, Michigan. She learned to be very accepting of the “yucky” side of things and appreciated bugs, snails and snakes – very un-girly things for a child of the 1940s! In 1949 the family moved to Japan where her parasitologist father assisted with treatment and prevention of waterborne diseases. The troop ship they travelled on participated in a rescue at sea just a day out of port! The family would live in Japan for two years where she soaked in a great deal of the culture that would influence her art and interests for the rest of her life.
Following her graduation from Iowa, Nan moved to Montrose, PA to take a teaching position in nearby Dimock. She would meet her landlord’s son and spent many hours sitting on a stool in his shop as he tinkered with his raceboat. Getting serious, Riggs introduced Nan to the River in January of 1964, and explained that if they were to go the distance, she would have to accept that the River was part of the deal. Riggs and Nan would spend over 40 years together, so it was safe to say that she wholeheartedly accepted the River as her soul place.

Nan, known as ‘Aunt Dancy’ to her nieces, was always up for an adventure, to try new things, and go with the flow when necessary. When learning that she was having triplets, mere hours before giving birth, her first reaction was that ‘they’ll be smaller’, as her first child, Scott, had been over 10 lbs. at birth! Then there was the time, upon completing several laps in Riggs’ raceboat, her first comment to him was ‘where’s yours?’.

The couple had many adventures in the Comet III, the family’s antique boat. They were fixtures at the annual shows at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, and participated in several antique boat river cruises, including the Tennessee River and St. Johns River trips.

Nan’s career as an art teacher did not end with her retirement. She was a frequent teacher and student at the Handweaving Museum in Clayton, focusing on fabric arts. Her needlework has been featured there, and her annual Christmas ornaments are treasured by those fortunate to have received them.
Nan is survived by her son, Scott M. (Janel) Smith, Fishers Landing, and her triplet sons, Todd A. Smith, Fishers Landing, Clay A. (Randi) Smith, Charlotte, NC, and Bard A. (Laura) Smith, Port Ludlow, WA; step son, Dr. Riggs Alden (Diane) Smith, Jr., Waco, TX; five grandchildren, Lucas, Alex, Liam, and Gavin Smith and Adam Guarrera; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; her twin brother, Robert Lynn (Betty) McMullen, Maryville, TN; sister-in-

law, Carolyn McMullen, Raleigh, NC; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Along with her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Bard McMullen.
The family would like to thank all of Mom’s amazing caregivers for their assistance over the last few years. She loved you all and we truly appreciate everything you did for her.
Nan will be cremated at her request. A celebration of her life will be held at the Antique Boat Museum at a time and date to be announced. Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton and online condolences to Nancy's family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations in her name to SPCA of Jefferson County, 25056 Water St., or Hospice of Jefferson County, both in Watertown, NY 13601 or the Thousand Islands Arts Center, 314 John St., Clayton, NY 13624.