IRVINGTON—Zena Smith, formerly of McLean/Great Falls, Virginia, having retired to the Kilmarnock area in 1998, passed away at the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury on April 20, 2019.
She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Edwin Jay Smith; and her sister, Mrs. Rose Fuller of Lovettsville; sons, Gary, Edwin Jay Jr, Christopher, Timothy, Robert and Joseph; and daughter, Nancy; as well as 36 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
Zena was born to Joseph and Nunzia Zangla June 21,1929, in Baltimore, Md. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Eastern Senior High School, Class of 1948.
Ed and Zena were married in Washington, D.C., on September 12, 1948. Together they founded E. Jay Smith Builders which, by the early 1960s, became one of the DC area’s most prestigious builders and home renovation specialists. Noted projects include the conversion of the Naval Observatory into the official residence of the Vice President, the renovation of Hickory Hill, home of Sen. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, the construction of the McLean residence of Sen. and Mrs. Ted Kennedy, as well as the McLean residence of Gov. and Mrs. Charles Robb.
Zena managed business operations for their company until she retired to the Northern Neck with her husband. Even in retirement, Ed and Zena oversaw the design and construction of the White Stone Church of the Nazarene of which they were devoted members.
There are not words to express how much Zena will be missed and honored by her family and her many wonderful friends. She lived a full and active life with unwavering faith in Christ and in the promise of the resurrection.
Though her passing will be mourned deeply by all those blessed by her love and kindness, it is made sweet by the sure hope of a joyous reunion.
Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, April 29, at Church of the Nazarene, White Stone. Interment will follow the service at Historic Christ Church Burying Grounds.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Zena’s memory to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, https://www.dravetfoundation.org/donate/.
Currie Funeral Home, LLC, of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
