Patricia Lynn O'Brien Smith (Pat) passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Thursday, September 10, 2026 in Chesapeake, VA. She was 71 years old, born on October 21, 1954 in Staunton, VA to Jeanette Spahn O'Brien and Joseph Vincent O'Brien. She was the youngest of three siblings (Vincent, George) all of whom predeceased her.

Pat grew up in Chesapeake and attended Portsmouth Catholic High School then went on to college; one year at East Carolina University and one year at Longwood College, before transferring and graduating from the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU)  in Richmond, VA in 1976. She also did post graduate work at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. She graduated from the school of Medical Technology and was a Registered Medical Technologist (ASMT). She started her first medical lab position at Portsmouth General Hospital and later worked at Maryview Medical Hospital working as Hematology Department Supervisor. She was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists since 1976.

On May 29, 1976 she married the love of her life, William (Bill) F. Smith in Chesapeake, and they have been together for 50 years. She was a devoted, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Together they had two children, Michelle Marie Brakke (Nate) and Kathryn Lynn Smith Simmons (Craig). Pat is also survived by four grandchildren William, Theodore and Milly Brakke and Arthur Simmons and her puppy Gracie.

Pat and Bill started their life together living in Portsmouth, VA, then moved overseas for Bill's job (OICC Med) and lived in Madrid, Spain (1981-1983). While living in Spain, they toured most of southern Europe, including France, Italy, Greece and Portugal, and Pat became a tour guide for many friends and family that visited, as well as for other American families who moved to Madrid. Michelle was born, and soon after the family moved to a beautiful small village in West Germany called Erzenhausen (1983-1986) while Bill worked at Ramstein Air Force Base. Pat became close friends with many of the locals. While there, Pat was a volunteer with the U.S. Army and was presented the U.S. Army Community Service Award in Kaiserslautern, West Germany in April 1985, and they enjoyed traveling and exploring northern Europe, including Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In 1986, the family moved back to Chesapeake, and a few years later Kathryn was born. After their family was complete, Pat and Bill continued to enjoy traveling over the years, exploring the US and Caribbean, and taking the kids back to their old hangouts in Europe.

Pat lived a full and rewarding life and was a ray of sunshine to everyone who knew her. She enjoyed raising her family, traveling and staying active working at the hospital and volunteering in the community with her church, the kids schools and extracurriculars. She received a Distinguished Service award in 1994 from Chesapeake Crime Prevention Council; Outstanding Leader Award in 1999 from Girl Scout Council as leader for Troop 623 and Troop 644; and Meritorious Service Award for Western Branch Middle School PTA in 2000. She was a life-long member of the Portsmouth Service League. One of her favorite activities involved taking her registered therapy dog, Sandi, to nursing homes and Pause to Read where kids read to the dogs at the local library.

Pat was vibrant, her smile and laughter was bright and infectious and could light up a room. She always dressed impeccably and had a shade of lipstick for every season, a recipe for every occasion, and made every birthday and holiday special. She loved to sing and dance and gave the best hugs. She had a way of making you feel incredibly loved and always put her family first. She gave so much of herself to the people she loved, often in ways that seemed small at the time, but became some of our most treasured memories; teaching us that the little things are never really that little.  Every oldies song that we sing, every Christmas casserole, cookie, door wreath, and craft we make, we will think of her and carry on her traditions she created. Pat's legacy will live on through her family and in the hearts of those she touched, and she will be missed by many people.

The family would like to thank Becky who helped care for her for over 10 years, as well as her other current caregivers Donna and Martha, all of the previous caregivers, and close family and friends who cared for and supported her over the years.

The Family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 PM on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High Street, Portsmouth VA.

A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Family request donations be made to any Humane Society, Therapy Dogs International, or Guiding Eyes for the blind. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.