Ann Smart

Her work on earth completed, our Mom, Ann Leardi Smart of Wilmore, Kentucky, departed this life for her true home on September 14, 2016 when God the Father of Jesus Christ sent His Son to bring her to Heaven. She was 94 years old and in her own bed in her own home when He came for her. Born on February 18, 1922 in Wilmington, Delaware, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Leardi, immigrants from Italy. The youngest of their six children, she was the only one of their family born in the United States.
She was educated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania schools having been reared in Reading, Pennsylvania where she learned English as her second language and lived there and in New Jersey until her marriage in 1949 to Arthur Melville Smart of Vineland, New Jersey. During World War II as a young woman, Ann worked as a seamstress in a garment factory making uniforms for soldiers. She became friends with co-worker Elizabeth Smart who encouraged Ann to be a pen pal to Elizabeth's brother Arthur who was serving his country in the Pacific Theater of Operations in the U. S. Army. At the behest of Elizabeth the two finally met, post war, eventually fell in love and were married by Ann's older brother, the Reverend John Leardi on June 26, 1949 in Reading.
The couple settled in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where Art began his education via the G. I. Bill at Gettysburg College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. During his college years the couple welcomed two children. Upon his graduation from college, Art accepted a position as a Chemist with E. I. DuPont de Nemours, and Company and began his career in Wilmington, Delaware. It was while in Wilmington that the couple met another DuPont family, Frank and Betty Light and the couples became dear lifelong friends and Bridge partners. Along with the Frank Light family, Ann, Art, and children relocated to Brevard, North Carolina in 1957 when DuPont completed its Cedar Mountain Photoproducts and X-ray film plant in the location of what is today known as the DuPont State Forest.
After moving to Brevard, Ann and Art welcomed their third child. Ann was an expert at Contract Bridge and she and Betty formed a ladies evening Bridge club during the 1960s which remains in practice today.She was employed as a Sales Clerk for Sky City Stores in the 1970s and then became employed by Belk Department Store until her retirement in 1984. She was a long time active member of Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church where she volunteered in the Church Office, taught preschool Sunday School, and served in Presbyterian Women Circle Groups.
In addition to her parents, preceding her in death were her husband Arthur Melville Smart, her siblings and their spouses, Adelia Cutrona (Frank), Santino Leardi (Hazel), Daniel Leardi (Rose), Eleanor Vitalo (Vito), and John Leardi (Margaret), her parents-in-law, Arthur James and Marie Prentiss Smart, sister-in-law Elizabeth Smart Werchan, and brother-in-law James Smart.
She is survived by her three children, Patricia Lee Smart of Wilmore, Kentucky, Arthur Melville Smart, Jr. (Mauryzia), of Houston, Texas, Lisa Smart Robinson (Jerry), of Brevard, and five grandchildren, Evan Matheny, Erin Matheny, Arthur Wong Leardi Smart, of Houston, Christopher David Robinson (Haesook), of Incheon, South Korea, and Nathan Joseph Robinson (Megan) of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, and two great-grandchildren, Gracelyn Elizabeth Robinson and Cayden Joseph Robinson of Pisgah Forest, sisters-in-law Mary Smart Andros (Steve), of Eatontown, New Jersey, Claire Smart Lago (Ray), of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Andrea Smart Bradway-Kuske, of Portland, Oregon, and numerous nephews and nieces.
A private family graveside service was held on September 18, 2016 and was officiated by the Reverend Jerry G. Robinson. Her earthly body is interred beside that of her husband at Gillespie Evergreen Cemetery in Brevard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, New York, 10001, or Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church, 249 E. Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712.

To leave a condolence for the family of Ann Leardi Smart, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .
Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations are caring for the family.