Obituary of Kathryn “Kay” Smith

Kathryn B. Smith Kay Smith, former swimming and diving champion, died at her home in Summit on Monday at the age of 96. Born in College Pont, New York, Kay was the wife of PHS football coach, Abe Smith and daughter of the Worlds Long Distance Swimming Champion, Captain Alfred Brown, the first and only man to swim the Panama Canal from ocean to ocean. Kay began her aquatic career at the age of 3. She gave swimming, diving and life saving exhibitions at Madison Square Garden and the Winter Garden in Brighton Beach. She was the subject of 5 full page stories in the New York American in 1915 and was one of the original Grantland Rice Water Sprites, the forerunner of modern water ballet. Kay attended NYU and after raising her family, received her BS degree from Rutgers University and her MA in guidance from Montclair State University. Professionally, she taught physical education and organized one of NJs first cheerleading squads at Manasquan High School and became a guidance counselor at Dunellen High School until retirement in 1976. She had lived in Manasquan, Mountain Lakes and Warren before retiring to Summit. She is predeceased by her husband of 73 years, Abram Smith and a daughter, Toni S. Giamatti and is survived by a daughter, Sandra S. Hannon, 5 grandchildren, Marcus, Elena, Paul, Brian and Theresa and one great grandchild, Samuel. Arrangements are private and under the direction of Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung.