Rose Hope Smith

Rose “Hope” Smith nee (Vlaisavljevich), age 98, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler, PA. She was the only child of Lillian Berkov and Iliya Vlaisavljevich . Born on April 24, 1922, Hope spent her formative years in Philadelphia PA, pursuing her love for the piano, in the library reading, and completing secretarial studies at Simon Gratz High School. In the years leading to WWII, Hope worked in companies that produced and procured materials for the war effort. A phone call to Hope from a childhood friend, Joseph Smith, who had just completed his military service in the US Army Air Corps, led to a reunion, a relationship and a marriage in 1944. Hope and Joe were a formidable pair building their lives together and scoping out their future. In 1954 they moved to Gibbsboro, New Jersey to “Ceadarcroft Homes” a new housing development. There they set down their roots and raised their three children: Robert Francis, Jacqueline Marie, and Pamela Hope. They remained in that home for more than 60 years. Initially a stay at home wife and mom, Hope spread her wings when she learned to drive. What followed for Hope were jobs in the hospitality field at area restaurants where Hope’s caring and warm personality could shine. From 1960 to the mid 1970’s Hope worked at the Mt Laurel Holiday Inn, the Ivy Stone Inn, the Farm and the Forum Inn. She loved to take care of people and make them feel special. In 1969 Hope auditioned and was hired to play dinner music on the organ at D’ Antonio’s Restaurant on N. 11th Street in downtown Philadelphia. For the next three years Hope gained the confidence she needed to take her piano show on the road. What followed were 30 plus years of paid and unpaid gigs at veteran affairs, the Echelon mall ministry and at area nursing and assisted living facilities. Hope's smile, vibrant personality, and knowing just the right music to play never failed to engage her audiences and made all feel included. Hope was recognized in 1997 by the Cadbury Continuing Care Community, Route 38 in Cherry Hill, NJ with a formal reception for providing weekly piano concerts for more than eight years. On April 22, 1998, Hope was honored by Mayor Edward G Campbell and the Gibbsboro Borough Council for her many years of volunteer service to the Gibbsboro Public Library. In fact, Hope Smith had led story hour over the years to many of the very people presenting her with this award. It was because of her passion for books, that Hope cultivated many enduring friendships through her time volunteering in the Gibbsboro library. Surviving are Hopes’ daughter, Jacqueline Mouat of Gainesville, Florida; daughter Pamela Smith-Warner and wife Lynn Spiro of Philadelphia PA; grandchildren: Alex Mouat, Abigail Mouat, Melissa Spiro, Gail Smith and great grandchildren: Alexandra, Madison, Cristina and Aubrey. Funeral Services will be private and under the direction of LeRoy P Wooster Funeral Home, Atco NJ. Interment will be held at a later date at the Brigadier General Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, North Hanover Township, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the Artman Lutheran Home, 250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler PA 19002.