Kevil Ruth Smith

Kevil Ruth Smith died in the comfort of her home in Sutter Creek, CA, on May 17, 2021. Kevil was born on January 9, 1938, in Des Plaines, IL, as the fourth of five daughters to Leo and Vera Boldenweck. Kevil spent most of her childhood in idyllic Hinsdale, IL, where she excelled in school, art, swimming, diving, tennis, and being a loving irritant to her sisters. At the age of 16, Kevil moved with her family to Piedmont, CA, where she graduated from Holy Names High School in Oakland, CA before matriculating to Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. After her sophomore year in college, Kevil married Jerome “Jerry” Smith. In 1959, they settled in Saratoga, CA. In addition to raising their five children, Kevil played an integral role in her husband’s successful campaigns for local and state office. Kevil was most passionate, however, about her work with the Saratoga Historic Foundation. This included directing the move and renovation of the McWilliams House in Saratoga Historic Park. In 1977, Kevil received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History from San Jose State University. In 1979, she moved to San Francisco to begin her professional career that included working in City Hall and as a deputy finance director for a mayoral campaign. In 1987, Kevil began working for O’Brien-Kreitzberg, Inc., as an administrative assistant. In 1989, she transferred to the corporation’s regional office in New York City, where she was the manager/marketing coordinator. In 1993, she moved to the corporation’s New England Regional Office in Boston, where she worked on the “the Big Dig” tunnel project that rerouted Interstate 93 beneath the heart of the city. In 2004, Kevil retired to Sutter Creek, CA, where she enjoyed gardening, knitting, reading, art and cultural events, walking, visiting, and corresponding with family and old friends, and socializing with many new friends. For 45 years, Kevil was a proud member of Las Mujeres, a women’s group in Saratoga, whose initial purpose was to bring diversity education to their children and later grew into a support group. Kevil was known throughout her life as a generous, kind, and loving person who lived life with beauty, grace, and dignity. Kevil is survived by her sisters, Judith Dalton, Robin Greene, and Wendy Seaver (Thomas); her children, Timothy Smith (Mary Beth), Stephen Smith (Marybeth), Peter Smith (Sandra), and Margaret Hiel (Robert J.); her grandchildren, Katherine Mikrut (Christopher), Elizabeth Smith, Michael Haruff (Leona), Matthew Haruff, Anthony Smith, Francesca Smith, Hannon Smith, Emily Smith, Taylor Hiel, Mason Hiel, Hanna Spencer (Cameron), and Robert B. Hiel; as well as her great grandchildren, Genevieve Mikrut and Patrick Spencer. Kevil’s beloved daughter, Caitlin Macchia (Peter) predeceased Kevil, as did her parents, her sister, Constance McGrath, and her brothers-in-law, John Dalton, Raymond Greene, Gerald McGrath, John Quirk and John Bresnahan. A memorial service will be held at Daneri Mortuary in Jackson, CA, at 9:00 a.m. on June 10, 2021. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kevil’s name to the Saratoga Historic Foundation at PO Box 172 Saratoga, CA 95072.