Carmel Margaret Smith, née Cashell, passed away on November 6th, 2024, after courageously living with cancer for over four years. She spent a lifetime bringing people together, creating joy and deep human connections wherever she was.

Carmel was proud of her Irish heritage, having been born in County Cork to her schoolteacher father George and caring mother Ellen. She was a kind and beloved member of the family, and after completing her schooling, began working in local government, where she was known for her superb shorthand skills. In 1969 she met John Smith while on vacation in Torquay, England with friends. After nearly missing each other on their first date, they began a devoted and lifelong relationship, eventually celebrating their golden wedding anniversary shortly before her passing. Carmel became a mother in 1976, a role which brought her endless joy. She devoted her life to raising her four children, Neil, Claire, Jen and Drew, across three countries. Later in life she became a key part of the staff at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, where she helped create meaningful retreat experiences for all guests and was highly respected by her colleagues. Always active, in her later years Carmel loved walking in nature, hosting family gatherings and volunteering at the local library.

She was preceded in death by her brother Patrick Cashell of Ireland and her grandson Kieran Dyer of Los Gatos and is survived by her devoted husband John; her loving children Neil Smith (Kristin) of Petaluma, Claire Kalia (Anil) of Los Gatos, Jen Dyer (Sean) of Los Gatos, Drew Smith of San Francisco; and grandchildren Anjali, Lila and Liam Kalia of Los Gatos, Poppiano Nelson-Smith of Petaluma and Finn Dyer of Los Gatos. She is also survived by her sisters Nuala Rush and Mercy O'Callaghan and her brother Eamonn Cashell, all of Ireland. Everyone who knew her will remember and miss her welcoming and joyful spirit.

Carmel will be celebrated in a public mass on Thursday November 14th, 2024, at 1:00pm at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Cupertino. Afterwards, friends and family are invited to laugh, cry and tell stories of her life at 3:00pm at Vidovich Winery in Cupertino. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carmel's name to the LUNGevity Foundation.