Paulette Sue Smith

Paulette Sue (Newcomer) Smith, born on December 25, 1941, in Fostoria, Ohio, was a woman impossible to forget. Up until the day she passed at 83 on September 19th, 2025, Paulette brightened every room with her twinkling blue eyes and welcoming smile. Unsurprisingly, even the nurses referred to her “Smiley.” A devoted mother of three, Paulette was also an enthusiastic Girl Scout volunteer, beloved educator, and a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Paulette earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education and went on to teach theater at West High School for 24 years. During her years there, the theater department became one of the top in the state of Ohio. Paulette, affectionately referred to by her students as "Smitty," took drama students and members of the West High Thespian Troop around the state for monologue and scene competitions. She directed many plays and musicals during her time at West, including Grease, West Side Story, and The Music Man, among some of her favorites. Paulette was also a loyal fan of Ohio State football and wore her lucky OSU earrings for every game. She especially enjoyed watching "The Best Damn Band in the Land" perform Script Ohio.

Paulette was a woman of deep compassion who kept her door open to anyone in need. Her home became a sanctuary for friends and family alike, where she LOVED any excuse to entertain and host pool parties, with decorative napkins for every occasion. She was also known for her playful personality, her endearing laugh, her (sometimes mischievous) sense of humor, her cobalt blue glassware, and her love for the holiday season, old movies, and a good cup of coffee.

Paulette's legacy is woven into the memories she created with her children and grandchildren, particularly through their whimsical trips dubbed "Mimi Adventures," where the destination was unknown, but the fun was guaranteed. Her pride and joy was her family, whom she cherished above all else.

Paulette also made notable contributions to her community, serving on the board of Little Theater Off Broadway in Grove City and volunteering with the Seal of Ohio Girl Scout Council. As an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, she committed herself to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughters Debi (Fritz) Ballard and Sarah (Eric) Fritsch; her grandchildren Emmaleigh Ballard, Molly (Anna) Ballard, Oliver Fritsch, and RobinAugust Fritsch; her late first husband's husband and cherished parenting/ grandparenting partner, Clyde Huffman; brother-in-law Al (Lee Rawley) Smith;

nieces and nephews Noah (Amanda) Newcomer, Kendall (Doug ) Waller, Wynne (Bettina Grunder) Smith, Angie (Monte ) Ahlemeyer, Jennifer (Steve) Wellman-Baker Robbins, and close family friend Ed Moore

Paulette joins those who passed before her, including her husband, John "Jack" Smith; her daughter, Robin Moore, first husband, James "Jimmy" Moore, her

parents, Paul and Olive (Forsyth) Newcomer; and her brother, James (Judy) Newcomer.

As we remember and celebrate Paulette's life, we honor her indelible spirit, her remarkable influence on the lives of everyone she encountered, and the profound love she showered upon her family. Her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege to know her. Memorial contributions may be made to Affinity Hospice https://affinityhealthmanagement.com/donation/ or Springfield Masonic Community https://omcoh.org/smc/ in Paulette's honor.