Lasting Memories

Jeanne Waggener Kline Smith
1944-Feb. 26, 2022
Cotati, California
Submitted by Sara Smith-Skelton

Jeanne Waggener Kline Smith, 77, of Cotati CA and previously of Palo Alto, CA, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2022 in Cotati, CA.

She was born in Urbana, Illinois, to Robert and Kathleen Waggener, who preceded her in death and who were long-time residents of Palo Alto, CA.

She was preceded in death by her first spouse, David Alexander Kline in 1976. She is lovingly survived by her second spouse, Gene T. Smith; her son, Robert K (Noelle) Smith of Prescott, Arizona; her daughters Aymie Smith of Sebastopol, California and Sara A. Smith-Skelton (Ronald) of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; and her grandchildren Caleb P. Skelton and Vivian P. Skelton. She is also survived by her brothers, William (Lee) Waggener, of Claremont, California; Karl N. (Lynn – deceased) Waggener of Fresno, California; and her sister Lucinda W. (Richard E.) Abbott of Palo Alto, California; as well as her nieces Kathleen and Hannah Abbott, Wendy Waggener and Kristine Waggener, and several grand-niblings.

Jeanne spent her grade school and most of her junior high years in Urbana, Illinois, and then the family moved to Palo Alto, where she attended Wilbur Junior High and graduated from Cubberley High School in 1962. She attended both Foothill College and San Jose State University.

She started her career at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, then moved to join the family business, Gene’s Studio on California Avenue, eventually finding her passion when she helped create the field of Estate Organization and Assisting Estate Administrators with her business, Exit Stage Right in 1992. Along with helping countless families directly, she trained over 100 others in the Organization field, and created “Exit Strategies” which is available to everyone free of charge at www.exitstageright.com. This was one of her parting gifts to the world.

She served as president of the National Speakers Association, San Francisco Chapter, as president of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (1999-2000), as well as a board member for the Financial Planning Forum for six years.

Jeanne was a deeply spiritual Christian and loved crafting, her family, and her cats.