Claire Monticello Smith

Claire M. Smith, 82, of Lake Charles died at 3:34 PM on Monday, October 3, 2016 in a local hospital.

She was born on January 30, 1934 to Anthony Paul Monticello and Stella DiCarlo Monticello in Lake Charles, LA. Claire attended St. Charles Academy from kindergarten through graduation in 1951. While in high school, Claire was one of the hosts of a weekly teen radio show sponsored by Muller’s Dept. Store. In her senior year, she was elected President of the Student Council. While there she wrote the music and co-wrote the words of the St. Charles Academy Alma Mater.

In 1955, she graduated from McNeese State University. Although she earned her Bachelor degree in Elementary Education, her favorite classes and activities were those that embraced the Arts. She participated in the preparation and presentation of campus drama and musical productions, the McNeese Choral Group, and early local student television productions. She was a charter member of the thespian fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, and a member of the Newman Club. She was one of seven founders of the first local campus social sorority, Delta Alpha Delta, which later became a chapter of the national sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. When other local sororities became active at McNeese she served a term as President of their Panhellenic Council. She was initiated into the McNeese ADPi chapter and years later participated in the formation of a chapter at California State University at San Bernadino. Claire was a member of the ADPi and Panhellenic Alumni in San Bernadino, and Riverside, California and later of the Lake Charles group.

Claire was one of the first teachers hired at the new Our Lady Queen of Heaven School preceeding the arrival of Msgr. Irving A. DeBlanc. She served as a classroom teacher and as the school’s choral director. Throughout her life, she implemented the many valuable life lessons learned from Msgr. DeBlanc, both spiritual and practical.

In 1963 Claire moved to Forest Falls, California and became a teacher, earning a California Lifetime Credential, and also taught classroom music, directed the school chorus and also directed the Yucaipa, California All-Schools Elementary Student Chorus. Her training in the arts afforded her the opportunity to direct student stage productions. She was awarded the Parent Teacher Association National Achievement Award.

While living in San Bernardino, she was an active member of the National Assistance League for 31 years, where for over 20 years; she directed the annual fund raising stage production, The Starlight Ball and Headdress Parade. Once bitten by the fund raising bug, Claire went on to Chair the Headdress Ball twice, as well as serving as Chairman and on committees in the Annual Production of Christmas Tree Lane, The Mayor’s Ball, of which she was a founding member. She served on the boards and chaired fund drives for Bethlehem House Shelter for Women and Children, Republican Women of San Bernardino, the San Bernadino Community Against Drugs, and Santa Claus, Inc. In 1989 the League of Women Voters recognized her with the Citizen of Achievement Award. In 2002 the Inland Empire Council for Social Studies awarded her the Outstanding History & Social Studies Educator.

After retirement, in 2005 she resumed residence in Lake Charles. Since her return, she joined the McNeese Alpha Delta Pi Alumni Chapter and had been active in Republican Women of Southwest Louisiana.

Ms. Smith is survived by her brother and wife, Dr. Sam A. and Leah Monticello; sister and husband, Veronica and Ron Kemerly, and nieces and nephews, Drs. Lisa and husband Van Snider, Chris and wife Stacy Monticello, Heather C. and husband Randy Partin all of Lake Charles; Drs. Tony and wife Trisha Kemerly of High Point, North Carolina, and Sean and wife Lisa Monticello of League City, Texas. In California, she leaves a sister-in-law, Patricia Albert; a niece, Susan Ricker and a nephew, Patrick Albert. Eight grand nieces and nephews gave such joy to her and it was her hope that holiday baking traditions and memories will be shared through generations.

Memorial donations may be made to Assistance League Charities, 580 West 6th St., San Bernadino, CA 92410, or to the McNeese Catholic Student Center, 221 Aqua Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70605.

Claire’s life will be honored at a Latin Mass by Fr. Nathan Long, Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 221 Aqua Dr. in Lake Charles on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 3:00 PM.