Gordon Parran Smith - Obituary

ordon Smith, loving husband of Susanne Hall Smith and father of Catherine Sherry (Timothy) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Steven Smith (Karen Kelley) of Geneva, Switzerland, and Thomas Smith (Amie) of Shaftsbury, Vermont, passed away peacefully in his home in Annapolis on May 16, 2023. He was born in Lothian, Maryland on April 18, 1933 and grew up on his family farm with his parents, Ethel and Tillard Smith, and his two sisters, Mary and Hellen. Gordon was a graduate of McDonough School, Swarthmore College, and Columbia University. Gordon had a successful career in New York City as a partner with McKinsey & Company and as a senior executive in the insurance industry with TIAA/CREF, The Home Insurance Company and Equitable Life Insurance. Gordon married Carolyn Booth of Fair Haven Maryland in 1958. They settled in Westchester County, New York and together raised their three children there. Following Carolyn’s death, Gordon married Susanne Hall of Lothian Maryland in 1982, and they lived in New York until Gordon’s retirement. They returned to Maryland in 1993 where they built a home on farmland owned by the Hall family. Gordon was a direct descendant of the first English settlers in Maryland. He was a member and former Governor of The Society of The Ark and The Dove. An avid historian and family geneologist, he also volunteered as a docent at Paca House in Annapolis, and served on the Board and as Chairman of the Board of Historic London Town and Gardens Foundation. Gordon was a member of the South River Club, and the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America. He has been a lifelong member of and volunteer for St. James Parish, having served on the Vestry. Gordon loved playing bridge, reading, solving puzzles, spending time with Susanne on the beach and caring for their beloved golden retrievers and King Charles spaniels. Gordon was predeceased by his parents, his first wife and his sisters. He is survived by his wife, children, and seven grandchildren, Carolyn, Matthew, Amanda, Taylor, Gordon, Hannah and Rebecca, and two great grandchildren, Neil and Xander. Xander was born this year on his great-grandfather’s 90th birthday. A funeral service will be held on July 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Church, followed by burial in the churchyard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. James Parish, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD 20711. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.