Paula Smick

"Nothing can take the place of someone you love being gone. But that doesn’t mean everything that follows is gonna break your heart”  – Daryl Dixon The Walking Dead

Paula Sue Smick also known as Polly-Wolly, Puddin’ Head, Izzy, Bugs, Aunt Poo-Poo, Mom, Granna, Grandma, Paris Smack, thot, or Number 3 of 4, age 61, died in DePere, WI with family by her side.

She was born and raised in Geneva, the place she felt most at home, to Robert and Norma (Wagner) Smick.  She would report that she did not do much with her life, spending her time as a semi disgruntled Kane County deputy clerk, but this is far from the truth.

Paula shared with the world her amazing sense of self-depreciating gallows humor and quirkiness. She was gifted with music, playing the flute, piccolo, and piano. She was self-taught and could play by ear.  She loved cheeseburgers and fries with a Coke, playing obscure board games, crafting, zombies, hard rock, hiking, bonfires, and fantasy/sci-fi (especially Star Trek). 

Above all else Paula is remembered for fiercely loving friends and family. She was the family historian and would gladly tell you her whole life story in line at the grocery store. She would brag about her daughter and grandsons to anyone who would listen and some people who weren’t listening. She cared for her parents as they aged, her friends when they were ill, and anyone who needed her. She was put on this Earth to care for others and encourage people. You just couldn’t ask her to be chipper in the morning or talk to her before 10 AM.

She is survived by her daughter Audrey (Eric) Murphy of Wisconsin; grandsons Sheamus and Logan; siblings Jim (Reggie Allegretti) of Schaumburg, Peggy (Dave) Murphy of Wisconsin, Steve of Geneva; nieces and nephews Jenny (Joel) Goede, Kelsey (Ryan) Nigh, Madelyn, Tim Korpolewski, and Amy (Mikee) Khur; great nieces and nephews Georgia, Ruby, Gus, Clara, Lola, Trent, and Morgan, cousins Nancy Donaldson and Jeff Anderson; and her partner in crime hunting down family secrets and favorite aunt Donna Greene.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Norma; grandparents Nelson and Hazel Wagner, Lewis and Ruth Smick; aunt Lois Anderson; uncles Jack Anderson and Dutch Greene; and cousin John Anderson.

Paula was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma which ultimately took her life. Even then she put others first, participating in research and medical trials hoping to make things better for the next person. Paula and her family want to personally thank her favorite doc, Svetomir Markovic, MD.  

Per the wise Jean-Luc Piccard, “Things are only impossible until they are not.” Please consider honoring Paula’s legacy by helping the next person in lieu of gifts or flowers. Gifts can be designated for melanoma research to Mayo Clinic and mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or call 1-855-852-8129.

Services will be held privately at Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva IL. A memorial party will be planned at a later date when COVID sods off.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paula Smick, please visit our floral store.