Nancy Charlotte (Boehme) Smith left this world peacefully on July 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Nancy was raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Appleton High School. On November 2, 1963, she married Jerry “J.J.” Smith. Together they built a wonderful life that spanned more than six decades, a life full of love, laughter, lifelong friendships, and memories that their family will treasure forever.

Nancy spent several years working at Wisconsin Electric and then more than 30 years working at Fox Valley Technical College before retiring in 2006. She genuinely enjoyed her work, but even more, she enjoyed the friendships she made there.

If you knew Nancy, you knew there was one place she would rather be than anywhere else: on the river.

Her love for houseboating began in the 1980s after a weekend on a friend’s boat. She immediately decided she needed one of her own. That decision led to years aboard the Foolish Pleasure and later the Victory Lane, where summers became a collection of sunsets, music, swimming, jet skiing, laughter, Old-Fashioneds, and some of the happiest days of her life. Nancy always enjoyed the journey, soaking up the sunshine, the breeze, and the peaceful ride down the river. She found her greatest peace on the water, surrounded by the people she loved most.

J.J. became known as an exceptional boat captain. Nancy became known as the “Best Hooker in the Marina,” proudly earning that title with her uncanny ability to tie up the houseboat, even after enjoying an Old-Fashioned or two. She would have gotten a kick out of that making it into her obituary.

Racing was also a big part of life in the Smith family. Although Nancy might admit it wasn’t exactly how she would have chosen to spend every Thursday night and a lot of weekends, she was there year after year because that’s what you do for the people you love. In the early years of racing, Nancy and her friend Katie even started selling embroidered souvenir sew-on patches at the race track from their “Patch Wagon” figuring they might as well make a little money while they were there. Looking back, her daughters still laugh wondering how two women managed to build a patch business long before anyone had ever heard of the internet.

Some of Nancy’s greatest treasures weren’t things at all. They were the friendships that lasted a lifetime. Alongside her sister Sandie and dear friends Katie, Joann, and Ellen came years of races, snowmobile trips, pool parties, road trips, birthdays, and memories that still make everyone laugh. Friday night fish fries with Ken and Ellen were a favorite tradition and something she always looked forward to. They didn’t just grow older together; they truly grew up together.

While J.J. spent long hours working and racing, Nancy was the steady hand at home, raising Julie and Jolie with independence, common sense, and just enough stubbornness to make them strong women. As adults, their relationship grew into one filled with friendship, laughter, and the kind of conversations only daughters and mothers can have.

Nancy also had a way of turning life’s lessons into simple rules that her family still lives by today. “Pick your battles.” “Don’t try to change a man because they never will.” “Don’t host the party so you can leave whenever you want.” And perhaps the most practical advice of all: “Never pass up the opportunity to pee.” Those who knew Nancy know those weren’t just funny sayings. They were words to live by.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Jerry “J.J.” Smith; her daughters, Julie (Christian) Barr of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jolie (David Jr.) VerVoort of Greenville; her cherished grandchildren, McKenna and Maverick VerVoort; her special niece, Sherri; and many extended family members and friends who were fortunate enough to share in her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Genevieve Boehme, and her sister, Sandra “Sandie” (Boehme) Valentyne.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on July 24, 2026 in the Chapel at Appleton Highland Memorial Park, 3131 N. Richmond Street, Appleton. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., with a short service to follow at 2:30 p.m.

Because Nancy never met a summer day she didn’t love, the family invites everyone to celebrate her life by wearing bright, colorful, casual summer clothes. She would have much preferred sunshine and smiles over black suits and ties.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Mooring Programs, Inc. D/B/A Apricity of Appleton or Fox Valley Lions Medical Equipment Loan Locker.

As we remember Nancy, we hope you’ll think of her whenever you feel the warmth of the summer sun, hear music drifting across the water, or find yourself laughing with lifelong friends. That’s where she was happiest, and that’s exactly how she’d want to be remembered.