Vickey Dee Smith, 80, of Columbia City, passed away peacefully at 11:29 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by her family.

Born August 22, 1945, in Boise, Idaho, she was the daughter of the late Howard O. and Dardanella  (Pinson) Jornod. Raised in Fort Wayne, Vickey graduated from North Side High School in 1963, earned a bachelor's degree in Social Studies from Indiana University. While at IU, she served as president of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, president of Panhellenic, Co-Chair IU Foundation and a member of Mortar Board. Vickey later was awarded a master's degree in U.S. History from Long Beach State University. On May 11, 1968, she married Douglas Smith, her devoted husband of 57 years.

Fluent in Spanish, Vickey was a passionate educator whose career spanned more than 40 years and 18 schools, from elementary to college, as she and Doug moved with his U.S. Navy service. She also shared her lifelong love of the violin wherever she lived, playing in numerous community orchestras including the IU/PU Fort Wayne community Orchestra. She was a founding member of Joyful Noise in Cleveland, Ohio, a nonprofit program that provided free instruments and lessons to children.

Vickey adored her grandchildren and found her greatest joy in time spent reading, playing, and laughing with them. A devoted animal lover, she always had dogs by her side. She lived her life with kindness and positivity, never knowing a stranger, only a friend.

She is survived by her husband, Doug; daughters Kirsten (Brian) Fischer and Morgan (Josh) Goldsmith;  grandchildren Alec, Jacob, Matthew, Madeline, Brooke, Jack, Owen, and Walter; and sisters Regina (Pete) Sjoberg and Yvette/Bronte Jornod. She was preceded in death by her sister, Shelly Zachary.

In honor of Vickey and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hungry for Music (Make a Dedication Donation - Hungry for Music), a nonprofit organization that provides instruments and music programs to children worldwide.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.