A life well-traveled is an expression that both literally and figuratively describes the life of Irene Evelyn (Weiler) Smith. Born in Jersey City, NJ to Louis Albert Weiler and Emily Elizabeth Wilson on Feb 14, 1917 she began a life that would prove that no matter what life throws at you, it can be overcome if you have determination and a willingness to survive.

At an early age of 14 and during the Great Depression her father was suddenly taken from the family. This left her mother to care for two children and a restaurant business that would soon crumble in the bad economy.

At the age of 17 & too soon to make such a commitment, Irene married Benjamin Levine and took in her sister Betty to live with them so she could finish her education. Tragedy struck again when their first baby girl Irene Elizabeth Levine died at only 1 mo old. Two more daughters would arrive, Arlene & Janet but the marriage eventually fell apart.

Irene entered nursing school and became a nurse to be able to support her family. Necessity & loneliness brought her to her 2nd marriage to Herbert Roncoroni and they soon had a daughter, Renee. As in the past, important life decisions made in desperation forced this marriage to end as well.

Her mother Emily who herself was from a long line of strong women who also survived much tragedy in their lives was both a constant help to Irene but also someone who needed care for which Irene provided throughout her life.

Life finally gave Irene a break when she met and married Sam Smith. He was the love of her life. They soon experienced yet another tragedy when they had a stillborn son. Sam and Irene worked side by side in their taxi business but after Sam developed heart problems they retired to Florida, bringing her mother with them. She lived with them until her death in 1974.

Sam and Irene were able to travel the world and enjoy many happy years together and then it happened again. As if already losing two children wasn't enough for a mother to bear, her daughter Arlene Levine succumbed to a brain tumor at the age of 54. Sorrow came yet again when Sam’s heart gave out the very next year.

Being the determined person that Irene was, she never let life get her down. She continued to travel the world with her travel group and enjoyed seeing her grandchildren whenever she could.
At the age of 92 Irene made the brave decision to move across country to California to be near her niece and nephew and to have someone close by to watch over her. She was dealt yet another blow when her daughter Janet Levine lost her battle with a brain tumor at the age of 75.

With trials and tribulations galore in her life, Irene dealt with every one and came through the other side with tenacity to spare. She managed to make it to her 100th birthday with friends and family at her side but when her beloved Sammy decided to call her to be with him, she could not refuse the love of her life.

As per her wishes, her ashes will be interred alongside daughters Arlene and Janet at the Sea Side Cemetery in Tenants Harbor, Maine.

Irene is survived by:

Daughter Renee (Roncoroni-Smith) & husband Ron Herman of Reno, NV
Granddaughter Jessica Rachlin & husband Joe Accetta, great-granddaughter Jillian Accetta of Sea Cliff, NY
Grandson Josh Rachlin & great-grandson Noah Rachlin of Reno, NV
Niece Gaye (Silber) & husband Rod Stewart of San Jacinto, CA
Nephew Gary Smith of Las Vegas, NV
Niece Joyce (Silber) & husband John Reynolds of Covina, CA
Nephew Gary & wife Nancy Silber of Madera, CA
Nieces Harriet (Sackson) Decker & Eleanor (Sackson) Kohen of Ft Lauderdale, FL.

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