Faye Smith

Faye Rosane Smith, born Faye Rosane Dunlap, passed peacefully in her home in Overland Park, KS on January 13, 2020.  Rosane was and will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who obtained her greatest joy while surrounding herself with her family and watching them as they grew.

Faye, known to most as Rosane, was born on November 24, 1929 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Maxine Faye Altman and Ferrell Leon Dunlap.  Rosane grew up in the Great Depression and lived with her grandparents and their youngest children, who were her playmates, from the age of 3 to 13.

Rosane met her future husband, Neal F. Connelley, while attending college.  They married within a year of meeting on June 12, 1948 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Together, they lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah, and Arizona before moving to California in 1958.  Once her youngest child entered kindergarten, Rosane began working outside the home in a dental office and continued as an office manager until she retired.

In 1969, she moved to Auburn, NY and in 1970 moved to Overland Park, KS where she settled for the rest of her life.  Although she and Neal did not remain married, together they had raised their two children, Keith and Kelly Connelley, and provided them with a warm and loving home.

Rosane met her second husband, Wayne E. Smith while attending a class at Johnson County Community College.  Rosane married Wayne on September 25, 1986 in their home with their joint families in attendance. They had a loving and supportive marriage for 33 years.  For a number of years, they traveled to a winter home in Sun City West, Arizona enjoying the warmer climate.

Rosane’s pride was her family which she has always claimed as her greatest legacy.  She is survived by her husband, Wayne E. Smith; her children, Keith N. Connelley, Kelly L. Blinzler, Jackie J. Hill, Jeanie Smith, Gayla J. Smith-Nichols; her grandchildren, Drew Connelley, Ashley Stewart, Adam Blinzler, Erin Hall, Rebecca Blinzler, Diana Dayton, Mike Hill, James Hill, Bill Ruisinger, Brian Ruisinger, John Brooks, Chris Nichols; and her great grandchildren, Kaden and Taylor Connelley, Cole and Rook Stewart, Kailey, Ryan and Ethan Huebl, Aidan, Logan, and Coltan Blinzler, Kylie and Kason Hall, Maura and Marshall Dayton, Kyla and Kohen Hill, Laura, Finn Ruisinger, Mason, Addison, Austin, and Hudson Ruisinger.  Rosane was predeceased by her granddaughter Alexis B. Nichols.