Obituary

Teresa Dizon Smith, also known as Tess, 84, of Charleston, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at home from complications of lung cancer of seven-year duration.

Teresa was born on January 27, 1942, on a banca boat in the Philippines by a physician who happened to be on the boat, while her parents, Corazon Hizon Dizon and Marcelino Dizon and sister Monette were fleeing from the Japanese during World War II.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her older sister and younger brother.  Tess is survived by her husband of nearly sixty years, Ralph S. Smith, Jr., and three children, Jason (Mary), Ralph, III (Jeana), Heather (Scott), and grandchildren Madeline, Marcelino, Sophia, and Phillip. Additionally, she is survived by six sisters, Corazon, Lydia, Nancy, Connie, Susan, and Josie, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Janie Hutchinson for her love and devotion.

Teresa completed undergraduate studies in foods and nutrition and came to Chicago where she worked as a dietician for about ten years in Chicago, Evanston, and Cincinnati. In 1971-74, as her husband served active duty with the U. S. Air Force, she obtained her PhD in Psychology at the University of Santo Tomas, her undergraduate alma mater.  She worked as a psychologist with her husband, a psychiatrist, for many years in Charleston. She greatly helped many patients.

Tess was deeply religious and quite active in the Catholic Church.  She belonged to a group of ladies at Sacred Heart who crocheted prayer shawls for elderly and sick church members; additionally, she made shawls, mittens, ear warmers, scarves and hats for family and friends. Often, she would multitask doing this by carrying on conversations or participating in continuing education courses.

She was an accomplished linguist who spoke Kapampangan, her provincial dialect, the national Philippine language, Tagalog, and English. She enjoyed traveling to foreign lands with friends and family and would often pick up enough words in foreign languages to communicate with locals.

Tess was a light and a delight to all who knew her. She had a fun, loving personality. Her warmth, faith, and devotion to family will be deeply missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, by The Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, Rector, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Immediately following the Mass, the procession will depart for Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Dr., Dunbar, WV, 25064 for a 12 p.m. sharp, brief rite of committal service.

Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the cathedral.

The service will be live streamed at https://facebook.com/BasilicaSacredHeart and www.youtube.com/@basilicaoftheco-cathedralo7382

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1032 Virginia Street E., Charleston, WV, 25301.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.