Smith, Patricia P.Sept. 11, 1935 - Feb. 23, 2012Patricia Palm Smith, 76, of Venice died Feb. 23, 2012 in Bradenton after a long battle with bladder cancer.A sunset celebration will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Maxine Barrett Park in Venice. Ewing Funeral Home is handling arrangements. She was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Oak Park, Ill., to Bert and Harriett Palm. She was the oldest of three siblings. She married her husband, Richard Lewis Smith on May 4, 1957; he predeceased her in 1970. She worked for Ohio Bell Telephone and was in banking for 25 years. Her most rewarding career was a part-time position at Brindley's where she was given a title of "The Cheese Lady." She was a resident in Venice for 36 years, 26 of which she spent at Curry Cove. She loved knitting, reading, singing, whistling, gardening, playing cards, cooking, sewing, sailing and drinking Manhattans. She was a dedicated mother of three children and Memaw to six grandchildren. Humor was the basis of Pat's daily routine; she was a determined, adventurous, outgoing lover of life who touched many people in different ways. She was a proponent of positive thinking, who never quit until the last moments of her life. She is survived by daughter Kimberly Elizabeth Gaona and companion Louis Lamacchia and her children Marie and her husband Chris, Michael and Mark; daughter Kristen Palm MonGoy, her husband Steve and children Hayley and Hannah; daughter-in-law Janice and her son David; brother Edward Palm, niece and nephew Justin Palm and Merritt Keffer; and a lifetime of community friends including her K-9 companions Abby, Snickers and Sophie. She was predeceased by her son Richard L. Smith II and brother Fred Palm. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to Tidewell Hospice or Mote Marine Turtle Conservation Program in memorial of Patricia P. Smith.