Jennifer Litchfield Smith

Mar 22, 2023 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2023 | 0 comments

Jennifer Ann Litchfield Smith, born on December 16, 1960 in Chelsea MA to Raymond Litchfield Jr. and Carole Litchfield, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center at age 62 after a long battle with lung disease caused by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency. Respecting her wishes, there will be no services held for the public.

After the family moved to Leawood, KS in 1976, Jennifer attended and graduated high school from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1980. She attended Kansas State University, graduating in 1984 with a BA in Fashion Marketing, and was an active member of the Sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. After college, she married, divorced, and raised three children she lovingly referred to as her monsters. Jennifer worked full-time in retail management, first at the Limited, then Eddie Bauer, then Great Harvest Bread Co. After Great Harvest, she changed careers and went into banking at Central Bank Midwest, where she stayed until her lung condition grew too severe to work in 2016. She loved baking, and had the oven going all winter long with treats she’d give out to her kids, neighbors, friends, and family. She loved her family, and was always ready to host a get-together. She loved to laugh, and she loved to create joy.

She was heavily involved in her support group for her lung disease, where others with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency could support and keep each other updated on education, progress, and scientific breakthroughs.

She leaves behind friends and family who will miss her every day. She is survived by her three children, Courtney Smith, Kyle Smith, and Luke Smith, as well as her sister and brother, Wendy Jensen and Thomas Litchfield, brother-in-law, Rick Jensen, Nephews R.C. Jensen, Jeff Jensen, and Brendan Reilly, nieces Kelly Reilly and Nia Jensen, great-nephews and great-nieces, Jensen Reilly, Rory Reilly, Mae Jensen, Benji Jensen and Ricky Jensen, and aunt and Cousin, Kay and Kaye Cross.

Jennifer’s family thanks the staff of Overland Park Regional Medical Center for their care and kindness over the years, but especially during her last stay. They are truly grateful for the compassion and understanding they received during this time. They would also like to thank Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Goyal for the excellent long-term care and end-of-life care Jennifer received from them. Donations can be made to causes close to Jennifer’s heart, the Special Olympics or the Midwest Transplant Network, in her name.

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