Sheila Kenway Smith

With great sadness we announce the passing of Sheila Kenway Smith. Sheila died at home on October 28, 2025.

Sheila was born in Greenwich, CT on February 5, 1937 to Genevieve Cawthra and Ivor (Foxy) Kenway. Her birth was preceded by those of her older sisters Patricia Edwards Waterman and Diana Laing.

Sheila graduated from Greenwich Academy, where she was active in theater, and attended the University of Connecticut. She worked in advertising and for the Committee to Rescue Italian Art in New York City. She managed publication sales at the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design and later became assistant to the RISD President, Lee Hall. She took courses in interior design at the RISD extension school.

While in New York she met and married Walter Smith. Sheila and Walter lived on 74th street and lower Fifth Avenue before moving to Warwick Neck, RI. where they shared a house for almost 30 years. After Walter’s death in 1999, Sheila moved to Florida where she resided at Sea Oaks in Vero Beach.

While Sheila and Walter never had children of their own, they were beloved aunt and uncle to her sisters’ children E.L. (Leigh), Duncan {Sally), Kevin {Lisa) and Hillary (Rocky Burdett) Edwards and Ian (Leslie), Chris {Loreen), Melissa and Alec (Alicia) Laing as well as Walter’s sister’s children Paul lngholt and Nancy Evans.

Sheila had a love of travel, first installed in her when her parents took her to Europe after she graduated from the Academy. She later spent time in Monaco with her sister Diana and her family. She and Walter vacationed in Bermuda and Puerto Rico. More recently she realized a life long dream of touring Alaska by rail with her good friend Joan Patota.

During her years at Sea Oaks Sheila was an avid bridge player and willing helper with a number of projects, including the annual Dog Walk. She loved entertaining friends at her many lively dinner parties.

Sheila was predeceased by her parents, sisters, husband, niece Melissa, cherished cousin Sarah Payson, and partner Carl (Ding) Koehler.

Sheila is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, and by Ding’s daughters Julie Howe and Jennifer Koehler. She will be greatly missed by her longtime friends Joan Patota and Lane Thornberry.

Services will be held at Christ Church in Greenwich, CT at a date to be announced.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.