Wanda passed Friday, September 11th, and went to heaven to join her husband, William Edward McCartin, who had passed away 35 days prior, on August 7th. After 78 years of marriage, 35 days of waiting for a reunion was long enough for her.

Wanda was born in Hagerstown, MD to M. Harvey and Clara (Bean) Smith. She was the oldest girl in the Smith family of 13 children. She met Edward in 1942 at a church function. Within five months of meeting, they were married on May 9th, 1942. Ed was inducted into the Army in December 1942, and Wanda stayed behind in Maryland and helped in the war effort by becoming a “Daisy Riveter.” Their first son was born while Ed was serving in WWII, and Wanda faithfully cared for him until Ed returned 2 ½ years later. Their family grew to include seven boys.

In 1965, Ed and Wanda and their five youngest children moved west, first to New Mexico, and then to Hawthorne, California. Wanda went to work for Hughes Aircraft, where she worked until she retired. In 1992, Ed and Wanda moved to Sweet Home, Oregon. Here, she began to enjoy her retirement years by traveling, tole painting, and quilting. An avid quilter, she crafted over 15 beautiful quilts, which she gave to family to cloak them in love. A life-long Jesus follower, Wanda faithfully attended Sweet Home Community Chapel.

She is survived by: her seven sons, William Jr. of San Bernardino, CA, Dennis (Holly) of Mason, OH, Rick (Christine) of Alta Loma, CA, Jerry (Melanie) and Dean (Martha) of Albany, OR, Mark (Marcie) of Sweet Home, OR, and Tim (Anna) of Sylmar CA; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and many dear friends that she considered family.

Viewing will be from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, September 19, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A family graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Gilliland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sweet Home Community Chapel’s Mozambique Mission Fund.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.