Carol G. Smith

With gratitude for a life richly and beautifully lived, Carol G. Smith (Peppard), of Penfield, New York, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, at the age of 92.

Born on August 23, 1934, in Batavia, New York, Carol was the daughter of Doris and James Peppard. Over the years, she built a life filled with family, creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Her Penfield home, where she lived for 64 years, was truly her happy place and a reflection of so much that she loved most.

Carol worked as a teacher assistant for Monroe County BOCES, contributing her time and care in a role that was part of her long and meaningful life’s work. Beyond her career, she was an artist and a nature lover whose days were brightened by the beauty around her. She especially enjoyed drawing birds and painting with watercolors, finding inspiration in the wonder of the outdoors.

Her gardens were a special part of her home for many years, and the yard around her became a lively gathering place for wildlife. Carol delighted in the birds that visited and made sure they were well fed. She often scattered extra seed for the chipmunks, squirrels, opossums, and deer, extending her generosity not only to the people in her life, but also to the many creatures that found their way to her doorstep. That daily attention to the life around her brought warmth and joy to her home and to the world she created there.

Later in life, Carol embraced new adventures with remarkable spirit. Starting in her 80s, she bravely decided to begin traveling and went on six trips to Europe. These journeys added another vibrant chapter to her life story and reflected her willingness to keep exploring, discovering, and saying yes to new experiences.

Carol’s family was an important part of her life. She is survived by her children, Richard D. Smith Jr. and Karen E. Morgan (George); her grandchildren, Jennifer Wall (Steve), Andrew Habeck, Laura Smith, Erin Robertson (Tommy), Richard Smith III, Ethan Morgan, Jeremy Smith (Allison), and Austin Morgan; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved fur-babies, Gretel, Mimi, and Louie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard D. Smith, Sr. (Dick); her son, Bradley R. Smith; her parents; two sisters; and many pets.

In June 2024, Carol was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. In May 2025, she made the decision to stop treatment and entered home hospice care. She was extremely well cared for by her palliative care doctor and her URMC Hospice team. Her caregivers called her an anomaly because she exceeded all expectations and continued to live a mostly independent life until just a few weeks before her death. Carol’s final 14 hours were spent at the Aurora Comfort Care Home in Spencerport, New York, where she received incredibly professional and compassionate care from staff and volunteers.

Carol will be remembered in the many scenes that defined her life so well: birds gathering in the yard, a garden in bloom, cherished pets nearby, and the comfort of the home she loved for more than six decades. Her story is one of creativity, devotion to the living world around her, and a willingness to keep embracing life’s possibilities at every age. There is great joy in remembering a life so full of color, care, and quiet adventure.

At Carol’s request, there will be no services. A Celebration of Life is being planned with a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Carol’s memory to Aurora Comfort Care Home in Spencerport, New York, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or an animal rescue organization of your choosing.

Her life is celebrated with love, gratitude, and the many lasting memories she created.