Monica Jean Smith

Monica Jean Smith, a longtime resident of

Costa Mesa, has died at the age of 40 after a

brief respiratory illness.

Born April 7, 1969 in Winchester,

Massachusetts, Monica died in Newport

Beach on February 16.

She is survived by her mother Jean Smith

of Costa Mesa, brother Leighton Smith of

Newport Beach and sister D’Arcy Krummrich

of Washington, DC. She is predeceased by

her father, Edmund John Smith.

Born with spastic cerebral palsy, Monica

overcame her disability with grace, humor and

determination to live a full life. A graduate of Fountain Valley High

School, Monica enjoyed her coursework at Orange Coast College

and was one course short of completing her AA. Monica received the

Outstanding Disabled Student of the Year Award in 1997.

Active in the Girl Scouts, Monica acheived the Gold Award in 1987.

Using her computer, Monica maintained a vast network of friends

who mourn her passing.

Her family and friends will celebrate her life at the Five Crowns

Restaurant at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010 following a

private burial.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Orange Coast College

Foundation Office at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa 92626, where a

scholarship for disabled students will be established. Checks payable to

the OCC Foundation, please specify “in memory of Monica Smith.”