Smith, Charlotte (Messenger) 1919-2002

SMITH, ADAMS, VAN DYKE, MESSENGER

Posted By: Janice Young (email)
Date: 9/5/2003 at 13:32:24

Charlotte M. Smith, 82, of Newton died of complications of surgery Friday at Skiff Medical Center there. The body was cremated, and memorial services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Burial of the cremains will be at Newton Union Cemetery.

Mrs. Smith was born in Downey and had lived in Newton most of her life. She founded Tamazunchale Press, which published miniature books, in 1984. She was past president of the Newton Public Library Board, the Newton Concert Association and the Monday Book Club, and she served on the boards of the Newton YMCA, Friends of the Univesity of Iowa Libraries and the Iowa Center for the Book. She enjoyed collecting rare and miniature books, cooking and traveling.

She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Adams of Bishop, Texas; a son, Thomas Jr. of Reno, Nev.; a sister, Helen Van Dyke of Newton; a brother, Cy Messenger; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton Public Library Fund or Park Centre Good Samaritan Fund. Reese Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.

Newton Daily News, Newton, IA,Jan 25, 2002
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Charlotte M. Smith, 82, of 500 1st St. N. died of complications following surgery Friday. Jan. 25, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

Memorial services will be Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton with the Rev. Cathleen Bascom of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church officiating. The body was cremated. Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery. Reese Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.

A reception with the family will be at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church following the service at Newton Union Cemetery. Memorials will be accepted to the Newton Public Library Fund or the Park Centre Good Samaritan Fund.

The daughter of Orville and Charlotte Stochl Messenger, she was born Jan. 27, 1919, in Downey. While still an infant, her family moved to Newton, where she lived the rest of her life. She attended Newton schools and on Jan. 27, 1939, she married Thomas R. Smith. She was a gourmet cook and enjoyed traveling.

In 1984, Mrs. Smith founded Tamazunchale Press, which published miniature books. She was past president of the Newton Public Library Board, the Newton Concert Association, Monday Book Club, served on boards of the Newton YMCA, Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries and the Iowa Center for the Book, founding member of Thursday Club and member of AO, PEO for 39 years.

She had assembled a collection of rare and miniature books, which she donated to the University of Iowa's Libraries in 1996.

Survivors include a son, Thomas R. Jr. of Reno, Nev., a daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte Ann and James Adams of Bastrop, Texas: two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Van Dyke of Newton and a brother, Cy Messenger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a brother.

Newton Daily News, Newton, IA, January 28, 2002.