Senior actively sought out fun

At her birthday party two years ago, longtime Balboa resident Alice Smith said she lived to be 100 because she was surrounded by love.

That love continued to enrich her life until her death of natural causes Monday at the age of 102.

Smith’s daughter, Marilyn Harries, said her mother remained healthy and active until her death. When asked her age, Harries said, Smith would say she was “102 and-a-half.”

Whether she was “fiddling in her yard” where she once kept a horse, working with arts and crafts, or visiting the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar, Smith enjoyed her life and friends.

“She remembered everything. Her mind was very sharp, and she took it all in stride,” Smith’s daughter said. “She saw everything develop.”

Smith traveled every chance she got throughout her life. Her favorite place was Australia, which she visited more than once, and stayed in touch with friends she’d made there.

At the senior center, Smith was an enthusiastic participant in sing-alongs, and though Harries said her mom may not have had the best singing voice in the world, it didn’t matter. She went for the pure fun of it.

Though a widow for 20 years until her death, Smith had been a devoted wife and mother. Harries said her mother had been involved with the PTA and was active in her church and community.

Smith was close to her neighbors on the Balboa Peninsula, where she lived for 55 years, and will be missed, said Harries.

“They used to check up on her, and included her in all their social events.” They were there when Smith celebrated her centennial with a big party.

Smith is survived by her daughter Harries of Orange, a son, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. All the grandkids thought “nana” was going to live forever, Harries said. “And so did I.”

A memorial service for Alice Smith will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana. The interment will be private.

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at sue.thoensen@latimes.com.