Advertisement
Adrienne Leah Smith, 24, Mount Vernon
Obituaries · March 09, 2017



Adrienne Leah Smith, 24, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully at home Feb. 27, 2017, after a courageous six-year endeavor with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Funeral Mass was Saturday, March 4, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon by Fr. John R. Flaherty.

Visitation was Friday at St. John’s with a vigil service following sharing of memories.

Adrienne was born Oct. 17, 1992, to Craig and Jean (Frauenholtz) Smith of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Survivors include her parents and a brother, Collin of Ames, Iowa; her grandmother, Leona Smith and husband Bill Faoro; and many loved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Adrienne was preceded in death by her grandfather, Dudley Smith of Mount Vernon and grandparents, Raymond and Dorothy Frauenholtz of West Branch. Adrienne graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2011.

She was active in music, drama and speech. Adrienne attended her beloved Iowa State University and graduated summa cum laude in biochemistry in December. A loyal, forever true alumni. Adrienne had a passion for science and academics. She was active in departmental clubs, biochemistry research labs and enjoyed collaborating with classmates and faculty while at ISU. She was honored as a Stupka scholar and had opportunities to present her involvement in research projects while an undergraduate. In summer 2016 she studied in the Immunology Department at the Mayo Clinic in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. She had aspirations of furthering her scientific study in graduate school.

In her leisure time, Adrienne loved attending Cyclone football and basketball games and hanging out with roommates and friends.

She cherished time spent at the family cabin in Guttenberg with cousins and friends. Adrienne enjoyed boating, snow skiing, baking, knitting and Netflix. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, singing, her snarky sense of humor and positive attitude. Adrienne’s optimism, strength, and private determination is an inspiration to all.

The family would like to express gratitude for the loving support of family and friends and the dedicated care of health professionals at PCI, UIHC, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Hospice of Mercy.

A memorial in Adrienne’s name is planned.