Jan. 29, 1926 - Oct. 23, 2014
Marcelline C. Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Los Altos Hills at the age of 88 after a brief illness.Born in San Francisco to John and Marguerite Chartz and raised in Carson City, NV, Marcie was forever devoted to her family and friends, and remained fiercely loyal to her Nevada roots. Marcie graduated from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco with a degree in mathematics. After graduation, Marcie embarked on a 44 year career with NASA as a systems engineer, eventually rising to Division Chief at Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. In 1984 and again in 1990 she received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for her leadership in establishing Ames Research Center as the Agency’s central computer facility and the leading center of large computers. Marcie was proud of her accomplishments in the pioneering fields of computer science and aeronautics but also loved making her home a welcoming place for annual neighborhood parties and frequent family gatherings. Marcie will always be remembered for her love and kindness. Marcie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, William F. Smith, and by her loving brothers Jimmy K. Chartz (Carson City, NV) and John A. Chartz (San Mateo, CA). Marcie is survived by her brother John’s children with whom she shared a lifetime of travel, family dinners and great memories: Peter Chartz (Terry), John Chartz (Lufi), Jane Chartz (Bill), Louis Chartz (Teresa) and Sarah Chartz (Bryan). Marcie will also be greatly missed by many grand nephews and nieces and their children. The family wants to express its deepest gratitude to Marcie’s extraordinary caregivers, German Sanchez, Marco Salas, Grace Jiminez, Hansen Pomee and Aitinisi Pomee whose love and care provided much comfort to Marcie and her family. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Nicholas Church, 473 Lincoln Ave, Los Altos, CA on November 8, 2014 at 1:30PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the charity of your choice or to the John & Beatrice Chartz Endowed Scholarship, Santa Clara University School of Engineering.