Marina Alee Smoker

Marina Alee Smoker
June 4, 1990 - Eternity
Marina Alee Smoker passed from her earthly home to join her "Whala" (Abuela - her grandmother) and be with her heavenly Father on October 19, 2013.
Born in Hanover, PA, her family moved to the Savannah area and she was raised in Richmond Hill and Wilmington Island. From ages eight to eleven she valiantly battled and overcame all that comes with having a brain tumor, blessed by the professional care of Duke and Backus hospitals. At age 22 she beat the odds by contracting a second tumor, all the while maintaining her sweet politeness with never a complaint and embracing her situation with a "warrior" attitude.
Marina loved spending time at the Islands Family YMCA each day after school. As a young person she displayed a warmth and talent for caring for young children. Her many "jobs" at the Y included being a camp counselor, after school care aide, child watch staff, Teen Night volunteer, gymnastics instructor and Branch Director-In-Training. She especially paid attention to any child needing a hug or just someone to talk to. Now you know what she did.
Some of her joys included playing Monopoly, Mexican Train, Dominos, Blockus and Gin-rummy; watching Disney movies; rooting for the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and Duke Basketball; baking cookies; voting in the Presidential election; and chatting with friends via Face Book. As a youngster she sang and danced to songs by the Spice Girls and from the movie GREASE; as an adult she loved playing the "air-horn" to Van Morrison's Domino and acting in skits during Smoker Follies night on family vacations. Marina never said "no" to a cheese steak from Screamin Mimi's and spent quite a few meals at Jalapenos'. For countless hours she would play with and read to her nephew Uriyah. She always looked forward to summer time when her cousins, nephews and nieces came to stay. As cancer limited her over the past year, she spent many hours completing jig-saw puzzles: her favorites were of Angels and Fairies.  April Fool's Day was a favorite and Marina thoughtfully planned for and deftly carried-out many, many pranks on her parents, laughing herself into tears as they unfolded. Now you know what's really important: her spirit!
Marina loved, and was endlessly loved by, her brother Joasis, her parents Carmen and Joel, her nephew Uriyah, her dogs Pugsley, Duke and Noah, and a ton of family and friends (too many to mention on her Mom's side and just a few less on her Dad's side).
Marina and her family are joyously thankful for their time together, for the love and support of so many through the years, and for her faith in Jesus and God. The family requests that Remembrances be made in her honor to Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute at Duke, Durham, NC or the Children's Hospital at Memorial University, Savannah, GA.
Marina and her family invite you to join her Celebration at LifeBridge Church, Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Ave, on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 10 am. Those wishing to attend should NOT come in dress clothes, but rather in colorful day camp and YMCA shirts, sports-team jerseys or loud, summery, tropical garb. A reception will follow at the Islands Family YMCA, Whitemarsh Island, Savannah.
Please leave your thoughts and condolences for the family on our Tribute Wall.