TALIA JOY SMITH, 20, of LaOtto, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, as the result of a car-bicycle accident on Old SR 3 North of CR 400 S. Born April 30, 1990, in Fort Wayne, she was a daughter of Brad and Mary (Speakman) Smith. She graduated from East Noble High School in 2008 and was an Honor Graduate (top 10 in her class). She desired to pursue vocal performance and acting professionally, aiming toward Broadway. She was attending New York University, (currently a junior, earning a 3.87 GPA) on academic scholarship to pursue her dream by majoring in Music Theater and Vocal Performance at the Steinhardt School of Culture and Education. She had just signed on to a new job as the personal assistant to the Assistant Musical Theater Program Director at NYU. She enjoyed singing, reading, dancing, shopping, being with her friends, and spending time with family. She attended church at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a record breaking swimmer, beginning at age 6 with the Y.M.C.A. through her freshman year in high school. Multiple show choir competitions, grand champion soloist; highlighted by wins at DeKalb, Belmont, Marion and Carroll. She was an Honor Thespian, landing many significant roles in EN productions. In June 2010, she performed professionally for the first time in concert at NYU for the 25th celebration of faculty resource network. She lived by the quote "If you can dream it, you can do it." (Walt Disney), and was easily described with these three words: Live, Laugh, Love. She is survived by her parents, Mary and Brad Smith of LaOtto; grandmother, Darlene Smith of Churubusco; aunt and uncle, Nila and Ken Harman of Indianapolis; cousins, Jacob and Jonathan;, aunt and uncle, Cynthia and Marty Boros of Houston, Texas; cousins, Michael (Courtney) Melissa (Andy) and Catherine; grandparents, Greta and Bill Speakman of Garrett; aunt and uncle, Bill and Dinah Speakman of Kendallville; cousins, James (Emily), April and Misty; aunt and uncle, Deborah (Spearman) and Rob Aikins of Garrett; cousins, Clifford (Grim) Cari (Grim), Dekota; aunt and uncle, Kathy and Gary Carr of Kendallville; cousins, Christina and Casandra; uncle, Dan Speakman of Churubusco; cousins, Amy (Bottoma), Amber (Bottoma), Daniel, Lisa-Jo; a special young man in her life, Christopher McMahon; and his parents, Patricia Repola and Jim McMahon. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Max Smith and maternal aunt, Barbara Speakman. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at First Christian Church, 110 W. Waits Road, Kendallville, with calling one hour prior. Pastor Larry Smith and Dr. Thomas R. Clothier officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial will follow service in Eel River Cemetery South of Churubusco. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, or to the family to set up a future scholarship fund. (Please make payable to the parents). "The family would like to give special thank you's to EN Performing Arts Groups led by Chris Mettert and Craig Munk for their inspiration and leadership." To leave a condolence in Talia's memory log onto www.sheetsandchilds.net
Published in Fort Wayne Newspapers on August 22, 2010