Saskia Maria Smith

Saskia Maria Smith passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 4^th 2024 after receiving countless visits and support from many of those who loved her. Saskia touched the lives of so many people through many outlets. The most important of which was her Family, her Artwork, and her dedication to God at her home Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and many other churches in the surrounding area. Saskia used her Artwork to channel her faith in her mission to be united to God’s will to help bring people to know and trust in God’s infinite love and divine mercy. Saskia was graced with tremendous spiritual insight and artistic talent. She used her gifts to glorify God and the Holy Trinity by painting Religious Images, Saints, and many other whimsical designs with strong Religious Symbolism. She loved using God’s hand-crafted creations like stones and rocks as her canvas, using vibrant colors, glitter, and gemstones Saskia took average stones and made them into a unique and spectacular masterpiece. For this reason, many people knew her as the “Rock Lady”.

God multiplied her creative talents as she became more proficient in her artwork. Simultaneously, her spiritual life catapulted to new heights. Recognizing these gifts, Father Timothy Grossi commissioned her to paint the 14 Stations of the Cross for his Church in Parson, WV. Masterfully she turned ordinary large panels of stone slate from a church roof into breathtaking artistic interpretations in Jesus’ passion and Crucifixion. The photographed images of the stations and interpretations were published in a booklet, “Freely Given”.

Father Grossi also Commissioned her to restore many neglected and broken Catholic statues for various churches where he was Pastor. With heroic patience and profound love, she arduously cleaned, restored, painted, and embellished every one of them until they took on an ethereal quality. Following these achievements, Saskia felt very privileged when Father Ernest Cibelli commissioned her to clean, restore, and paint the two statues of the Blessed Virgin Mother and St. Jospeh in her home parish of St. Mary’s. They are exquisite. He then asked her to paint the Altar in the Adoration Chapel to look like marble, which was a highlight of her artistic journey. Despite such talent and recognition, she remained humble: always giving all praise and glory to God who she said worked through her.

Saskia was a devout and active parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for many years. She was an auxiliary member of the Third Order Carmelites, serving the church through contemplative prayer and ministry. As a daily communicant, she volunteered as a lector and as an extraordinary minister at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. She loved to spend time with God at the Adoration Chapel every week. Saskia and her friend Betty visited the sick at Meritus Hospital, bringing them Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist. She consoled and prayed with the Patients.

Saskia was a loving Wife, Mother, Daughter, Oma, Sister, and Friend. Those who had the privilege of knowing her saw the kindness and love that she radiated so effortlessly and naturally it could only be a gift from God. Many walked away feeling touched by God in some profound and mystical way. She loved deeply and sacrificially. She spent 25 years with her Husband and love of her life Jim, and had 3 boys Daniel, Matthew, and John, Stepchildren James and Kimberly, and two Daughter in-laws, Mary and Rachael, that she considered her own. She loved them and so many more family and friends with the same profound love and dedication she displayed in every aspect of her life. She was preceded in death by her Father Kees Schouten, Sister Elaine Kirchoff, and Son Matthew Skinner. Saskia is Survived by her Husband, James Smith, Mother, Theodora Schouten, four Siblings, Angela Burke, Steven Schouten, Jessica Smith, Marie Schouten, her two Sons Daniel Skinner and John Skinner, two Stepchildren, James Smith and Kimberly Smith, Daughter in-laws, Mary and Rachael, Grandchildren Jordan, Madisson, Zoey, Kiley, Sophie, Kase, and many Nieces and Nephews. The service will be held Friday starting 10 A.M. beginning at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 224 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Burial Service procession to Rest Haven Funeral Home after the Service, and a Reception back at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, Saskia wished for donations to be made to Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742 where you can drop off or mail donations to support families in need during their time of loss. Donations can also be made online at https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML0315789S4WE/checkout/SYZKIYL3QSKTTO5MVVMU6CNW?src=embed .