Nancy Dolores Smith Hughes

Nancy Dolores (Shank) Smith Hughes, 90, of Jefferson, MD, died Tuesday, March 10 in Frederick, MD. 

Born in 1935, to the late Melvin A. Shank and Eldred E. Jennings Shank, she was the wife of the late Millard Samuel Smith Jr. and the late Dale W. Hughes. She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1954. She attended Towson Normal School for teachers. For many years, she lived and worked with her first husband, Millard Jr., on Val Lee Farm in Jefferson. Later she worked at Fort Detrick as a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Coordinator for 34 years, retiring in 2011. 

Nancy loved to go out swing dancing, see live music concerts in the community, and frequented bingo nights. She filled her time with local events, including attending dinners at the Jefferson VFC, the annual Smith Family reunion, ‘Nifty Fifties’ Brunswick High School reunions, and the Red Hats Society. 

She was a fashion icon, avid crafter, and voracious reader. Nancy enjoyed traveling, especially when it gave her the chance to take in beautiful scenery across the country. Nancy was a lifetime and devoted member of Grace Episcopal Church in Brunswick: she was baptized, confirmed, and twice-married there, in addition to serving on committees. She was a member of the Brunswick Eagles #1136 since 1999, as well as the Moose Club. 

Surviving her are three grandchildren, Shannon and Danielle Smith of Baltimore, MD and Jessica Smith of Vail, CO; daughter-in-law Karen Smith Racicot and her husband Bob Racicot, of Frederick, MD. She was predeceased by her sons, Millard Samuel “Sam” Smith III and Melvin “Todd” Smith. 

Her funeral service will be at 2:00PM on April 18, 2026 at Grace Episcopal Church, 114 E A St, Brunswick, MD. Reverend Edie Holton will officiate. A reception will follow. She will be inurned in Grace Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to Grace Episcopal Church of Brunswick.