Gail Smith Obituary

Gail C. (Rogers) Smith, 86, passed away on August 8, 2025, at her home in Lawrence. Gail was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 26, 1938, to Henry and Elizabeth (Hill) Rogers. On April 4, 1959, Gail married Thomas LaPointe of Detroit. They had a son, Jon LaPointe, and later adopted a daughter Anne LaPointe Barron. Gail and her young family resided in Illinois, Indiana and Lake Leanne, Michigan, before moving to Lawrence in 1975. Gail and Tom were divorced in 1983.

Gail's ambition was to become a nurse, but raising a family and moving frequently made that goal unattainable. In 1988, Gail earned a degree in Medical Records Technology from The University of Kansas School of Medicine and after working at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka elected to pursue her other passion (crafting) and joined the staff of Hobby Lobby. Gail retired from Hobby Lobby in 2000.

Gail was a gifted painter, crafter, and musician. For many years she had a booth at Art in The Park and also offered paintings and craft items of her own creation for sale at local craft shows. Gail enjoyed sewing and crocheting with her specialty being fancy crocheted tops to kitchen towels. For this, she was known by many as the "towel lady." Gail played piano, organ, viola, and possessed a sweet, lyrical soprano voice. For a while, Gail was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir and for many years sang with the Lawrence Civic Choir. Under the auspices of Lawrence Civic Choir, Gail went on four European tours: Poland (1980), Romania-Austria (1986), Austria-Hungary (1990), and England-Wales (1994).

In 1991, Gail married James A. Smith. Together they traveled throughout the United States and Canada visiting Michigan, Tobermory, Ontario, the Gaspee Peninsula, Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper National Park (all in Canada), the east coast, Florida, and the American Southwest. Among their favorite destinations was Las Vegas, which they visited several times.

Gail was an avid reader, especially enjoying murder mysteries and romance novels. Gail enjoyed number and word puzzles and reveled in assembling large jigsaw puzzles which she eagerly loaned to fellow enthusiasts. An excellent cook, Gail enjoyed spending time in the kitchen experimenting and creating original recipes.

Gail loved children and was a devoted humanitarian, quick to help anyone in distress or need, eager to be a companion to the lonely and forgotten. An animal lover, Gail had many pets over the years and had a particular fondness for turtles. In 1981, she completed a painting of a childhood pet, Blackie the cat, copies of which she distributed to all cat lovers.

Gail enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, exploring nature with her children when they were young, and fishing. She raised African Violets and was a member of the Lawrence African Violets club. A rock hound, Gail was fond of searching for agates in Michigan. She would spend hours smoothing and polishing the most colorful and interesting stones, setting them in rings and necklaces.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Don Rogers, and her daughter, Anne LaPointe Barron. Gail is survived by her husband of 34 years, James A. Smith, her son, Jon LaPointe (Patty) of Arlington, Virginia, a grandson, John Jordan LaPointe (Logan) of Richmond, Virginia, a sister, Lois Eriksson (John) of Silver Spring, Maryland, nieces and nephews and several cousins.

Services will be held in Maryland, later this autumn.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Visiting Nurses of Douglas County.