Theodosia Smyth

Theodosia Ellen (Field) Smyth - Sis to her family and childhood friends - died at home in Madison surrounded by family on October 18, 2014, at the age of 84. She was born on January 9, 1930 in Wisconsin Dells, the daughter of Henry A. Field and Georgia (Coakley) Field, and grew up there among her beloved family. Theo graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1947, and the circle of friends who formed the "Hubba Hubba Club" there remained close through the years. She attended Marquette University and UW-Madison, where she pledged with Alpha Phi sorority. Theo graduated from Edgewood College in 1952, and taught kindergarten for a time. Always an avid traveler, she then took a road trip across the United States with a friend; when they reached New York, they sailed for Europe to continue their adventures.

During her travels, Theo met Dr. Ivor P. Smyth of Derry, Northern Ireland. They married in Wisconsin Dells on February 23, 1957, and lived briefly in both Minneapolis and Madison before settling in Connecticut. Following Ivor's death of cancer in 1970, Theo returned to Wisconsin to be near her family as she raised her seven children.

Over the years, Theo worked as a secretary in Baraboo: for Dr. C.R. Pearson, the Baraboo Police Department, the Conway Law Office, the First National Bank, and the First Presbyterian Church. She also volunteered at St. Joseph School and St. Clare Hospital. Theo faithfully attended the various extra-curricular activities of her children, and later coordinated the annual basketball tournament/scholarship fundraiser event in Baraboo in memory of her son, Colin. A longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Baraboo, Theo sang with the choir and served as a lector and commentator there. Music was always central to Theo's life: she played tenor sax in her high school band and later with the Baraboo Campus/Community Band, and enjoyed countless hours at the piano, playing and singing, often at the center of a family gathering.

Theo was a gentle and kind woman of keen intellect, strong faith, contagious enthusiasm, and delighted heart. Most of all, she was a loving and devoted mother, deeply missed and remembered with love by her children and grandchildren: Keara Smyth of Madison; Tresi Smyth of Madison; Meghan Smyth of Baraboo; Maura Smyth of St. Paul; Ronan and Cheryl Smyth of Green Bay, and their children Emma, Brendan, and Caleb; and Conor and Lori Smyth of Madison, and their children Eamon, Sophia, and Garrett; and by her brother and sister-in-law, Henry A. Field Jr. and Molly Martin of Madison, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Colin, her son in law Randy Seitz, and her sisters and brothers-in-law Mary Field O.P., Carol and John Hoppe, Jean and John Riley, and Patricia and Francis Bannen.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be a Rosary at the church at 10:00 a.m., prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph School in Baraboo or to the Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River.

Theo's family extends heartfelt thanks to all who helped care for her during her illness, including Dr. James Damos, Jo Ann Wagner Novak NP, and especially Kathy Allen. Our gratitude goes also to those who generously supported Mom and our family with visits, phone calls, cards, and many other kindnesses.