Elizabeth Ann Smentek

Elizabeth Ann Smentek, 75, formerly of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Barrington, Illinois, passed away on August 24, 2025. She had lived in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, for the last 10 years, with her husband, Paul.

Betsy was born on May 24, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas. After several early moves for her father’s job, the family settled in Park Ridge, Illinois, where she grew up. With her mother’s musical talents as inspiration, Betsy developed her own passion for music at an early age, expressing it beautifully through playing the piano and singing. A 1968 graduate of Maine South High School, Betsy went on to Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education in 1972.

After graduation, Betsy began sharing her love of music by teaching young students first in Des Moines, Iowa and then at schools in the north suburbs of Chicago, a calling that would remain with her throughout her life. Equally comfortable teaching piano, conducting a chorus, or accompanying others, she brought music to countless people. Highlights include serving as choir director at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Barrington, Illinois, directing musicals and teaching drama at Barrington Middle School Station campus, and accompanying for the Barrington High School Choir.

She was also deeply involved with the Barrington Area Arts Council, where she not only served as president but also dedicated her time and energy to advancing its programs, helping to expand and integrate the arts into the community. When later moving to the Northeast, she was drawn to the mission of the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s Urban Voices program and spent several years extending the joy of music education to underrepresented schools across Greater Boston. These accomplishments reflect just some of the ways she touched others through her talents, yet her impact reached even further.

Known for her integrity, she will be remembered by her family for her warmth, her selflessness, her love of bringing people together, and her commitment to making everyone feel welcome.

Betsy was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Susan Fisher.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Smentek of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; her two children, Corey Smentek of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and Andrew Smentek of Minneapolis, Minnesota; sister, Barbara Fisher of Charlotte, North Carolina, niece, Doni Fisher and family of Mount Holly, North Carolina; mother-in-law. Irene Smentek of Schaumburg, Illinois; and sister-in-law Carol Zahner of St. Charles, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Boston Children’s Chorus, 186 Lincoln Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02111.

Plans for a Celebration of Life will be shared at a future date.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation in Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.