Marilyn Jean Bass Smith was born May 6, 1930 in Red Oak, Iowa.  She was reared on a
farm with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bass along with her sisters Carolyn and Shirley.
In 1943, she won the Montgomery County Spelling Bee and placed 5th in the Iowa State
Championship.  Spelling was something Jean loved.  Following graduation, Jean was an
organist in Red Oak and attended Junior College for 2 years, at which time she taught one
year in country school and then several years at Stennett School.  Next Jean attended and
graduated from Drake University with a Degree in Music Education.  While at Drake, she
was a member of Signa Alpha Iota, a music sorority and Kappa Delta Pi, an education
sorority.  In 1956, she married Bob Smith and moved to Adel.  To this union was born
Robert G. Smith (Rosemarie) and Catherine J. Leafblad (Mick).  Jean was a grandparent to
Stefanie Leafblad Becerril (Carlos) and Jonathan Leafblad (Monika).  She was blessed with
2 great grandchildren, Conor and Veronica.  After marriage, she taught music at Van Meter,
Iowa.  When a position became available in 1967, Jean taught elementary music in Adel
until 1990 when she retired.
In Adel, she was known for her school Christmas Programs.  Over the next 10 years, she
was piano accompanist for Mike Cooper at Adel High School.  Jean was a 50-year member
of P.E.O. and also a 50-year member of Lady Washington Chapter of Eastern Star.  She
gave piano lessons to many young people.  She also was a longtime pianist and organist at
the First Christian Church in Adel.  In 2003, she moved to Illinois to live with her daughter
and family.  In 2008, she won the Illinois Regional Spelling Bee and went to the State meet
placing 7th.  She remained in Illinois until 2019 when she moved to Pennsylvania to be near
her son and his wife.  Jean lived in an independent living retirement community, Ivy Creek,
where she was instrumental in forming a community choir.  Jean organized and performed
with the choir on many major holidays and special occasions.  She played keyboard for
prayer services in the community and entertained residents by performing at the grand
piano daily.  She enjoyed bridge and pinochle weekly while making many friends at Ivy
Creek and was extremely happy living there.
Jean’s sisters passed away in 2020 and 2021.  Jean is survived by her son, daughter, their
spouses, her grandchildren and their spouses, two great grandchildren and numerous
cousins.  Jean’s life was rich and full with loving family members and many friends.  Her
legacy will be her music and her caring demeanor.
A visitation will be held Monday, June 5, 2023 at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel
from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. A funeral service will be held 10:30AM Tuesday June 6, 2023 at
the Adel Christian Church in Adel. Burial will take place at the Oakdale Cemetery following
the funeral service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Adel First Christian
Church. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com