KAREN LEE <br/>'THORN' SMITH -->KAREN LEE 'THORN' SMITH, 68 Educator WINTER HAVEN - Karen Lee Smith, 68, passed away November 11, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. Karen was born on December 14, 1946, in Frostburg, Maryland to the late Wanda L. and Wesley E. Thorn. Karen attended Frostburg State College and earned a Master of Art's degree in Elementary Guidance Counseling. She was a long time employee of the Allegany County Maryland Board of Education. Karen was a teacher, counselor, principal, and administrator. She retired as the Director of Elementary Education. In 1999, she was very honored to be selected as the National Distinguished Principal of the year for the State of Maryland. She was most passionate about being a teacher and mentor to her students. Karen is survived by husband, F. Emmett Smith; daughters, Kelly and Danielle; grandchildren, Cameron, Darian, and Jillian; her sister Janice M. Lindner and her husband Jeffrey; nephews, Brent and Shannon McKenzie and his family, wife, Megan and children, Madilyn and Kellen. The family expresses sincere thanks and gratitude to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, and specifically to Dr. Eric Haura, oncologist and Dr. Tom Dilling, radiology oncology for their dedication on Karen's behalf. Memorial services will be private per Karen's request. She wished any memorials to be sent to: Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, P.O. Box 2387 Tampa, FL, 33623-3827 or https://eforms.moffitt.org/Donation/ Western Maryland Food Bank, P.O. Box 243 Cumberland, MD, 21501- 0243 or any no kill animal rescue shelter in your neighborhood.