Janet Lou Smith

Janet Lou Smith, age 70 of Ashland, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on June 30, 2024

Born in Ashland on August 19,1953, the daughter of Al Heilman and Glenna (Patterson) Heilman, she was an Ohio resident for a large part of her life, before moving to Tucson, Texas, then Florida, where she decided to start her career. Jan worked for Orlando Regional Medical Center and for The Joint Commission. 

Jan was a graduate of Ashland High School, Class of 1971. She then attended The Ohio State University to study nursing and also obtained her Masters in Nursing at Texas Woman's University. Jan's career journey spans over 30 years, including the positions of Legal Nurse Consultant, Nurse Educator, and Certified Nurse Executive. 

On October 10, 1987, she married the love of her life Andrew Smith who survives her. Jan was a beautiful person inside and out. She made every person she encountered feel welcomed with her kind spirit. The tenacity with everything she did throughout her life was unmatchable. She loved her family unconditionally and was the glue that held everyone together. 

In addition to her husband Andrew, she is survived by her four siblings, her mother, and her three children, Ashley, Kristen, and Ryan.