Patricia J. Smith

Patricia (Patti) J. Smith of New York’s Town of Clinton passed away on April 28, 2026 after a courageous
battle with NSCLC cancer. Born in Orange, New Jersey on July 26, 1948 to the late Catherine H and
Nelson C. Smith, Patti was a 1966 graduate of Mountain Lakes High School in New Jersey. She attended
Bucks County community college and graduated from Columbia University in 1975 with a Bachelor of
Science degree, majoring in Environmental Science.

Patti spent time living and working in New York City as a Professional Photographer, Dental Studio
Office Manager, and Hand Model. She married and moved to Pleasant Valley, NY in 1980 where she
raised three children and many farm animals, including horses and goats. At its peak, her farm had over
100 animals. She was the beloved leader of the Got Goat Milk! 4-H goat club for over 20 years. Patti
volunteered with Lighthouse, going around to local elementary schools to do vision screening. One
time, when there weren't enough volunteers to complete the assignment, she recruited her parents to
help with the screenings.

2005 found Patti employed by The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, coordinatng the Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. She welcomed, guided, and supported ecology students
during their summers at Cary. In that role she touched the lives of many young people on their way to
determining whether they might wish to pursue careers in ecology or other science disciplines. She
retired in 2015.

After retiring from Cary, Patty had time to jump into theatre with both feet. After acting in just one play,
Oliver!, she quickly transitioned to backstage work. She served as Stage Manager for various
productions at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck and other local venues. Some shows she
stage managed include Lend Me a Tenor, The Play's the Thing, Billy Elliot, The Secret Garden, Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. She also served
on the board of the Rhinebeck Theatre Society.

In all of this, Patti's big love for people, animals, and the earth shines through. She could always be
found with her signature metal water bottle with its macrame holder slung over her shoulder. As a 30-
year survivor of breast cancer, Patty generously shared her experience, humor, wisdom, and care with
people who walked the cancer road. She was never happier than when in the middle of a hubbub of
people doing good things, whether it was ecological research, animal care, or theatre. She was
welcoming, funny, bold, loyal. She tolerated no nonsense, and fearlessly advocated for the vulnerable.
She is survived by: Paul Strieby (the love of her life) who taught her that love can be fun and funny;
Drew Hill, a friend and confidant since the first grade; her three children Christy, Leslie, and Michael;
and an unknown number of grandchildren. She will be remembered by theater friends as well as so
many 4-H parent and child goat farmers, some of whom are presently still in that business.

If desired, contributions in Patty’s memory may be made to the following organizations: Hudson River
Sloop Clearwater, Inc.; Heifer Project International, Inc.; Cary Institute Ecosystem Studies, Inc.; Dutchess
County 4-H program of Cornell Cooperative Extension; Rhinebeck Theatre Society; The Center for
Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.

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