Catherine Christine Smith, 96, of Sebastian died June 22, 2019 at the VNA Hospice of Indian River County – Sebastian.

She was born March 24, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to Sebastian in 1987 from Allison Park, Pa.

Mrs. Smith was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and one of the first 50 women to join the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). A dedicated wife, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, John H. Smith. Together they raised 11 children in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, Pa. Catherine was a devoted mother and dedicated to raising her children in the Catholic faith and ensuring that all of her children received a college education. She was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian.

Surviving are six sons, John F. Smith of Vero Beach, James A. Smith of Allison Park, Paul C. Smith and Peter E. Smith of Pittsburgh, William M. Smith of Sebastian, and Brian J. Smith of Spring, Tex.; five daughters, Christine M. Cicci, of Auburn, Ala., Patricia J. Carr of Fairmont, W. Va., Katherine M. Gordon of San Diego, Calif., Barbara A. Watts of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and Paula C. Bayer of Cincinnati, Ohio; one sister, Anna J. Calenda of Elmhurst, NY; 27 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m., Friday, August 2 ^nd at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to St. Sebastian's Catholic Church, VNA Hospice or The American Legion of Sebastian, Florida.