Thelma Smart, 98, of Ambridge, passed away on September 27th, 2026, at Franciscan Manor.  She was born in Allison Park on August 13th, 1928, a daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Morrison) Musser.

When Thelma was in high school, one of her teachers had the class do an assignment where they were to write a letter to a soldier in combat. At the time, little did she know that the letter she wrote to a gentleman by the name of Hoyt Smart, was the man she would be married to for almost 67 years.

She worked as a school bus driver for 60 years. Through those years, she especially enjoyed her time carting around the kindergarten crew. She exercised her domestic skills quite well. She could sew and make her own clothes and was an exceptional cook. She was a genuinely caring person, and she graciously opened her home to others. She absolutely loved spending time with her family; especially at their camp in Tionesta. She will be loved and missed, always.

She is survived by her 3 children, Glenda (Jerry) Riley, Joseph (Diana) Smart and David (Sherri) Smart, 8 grandchildren: Eugene (Amy) Majetic, Brian Majetic, William Giska, Laura (Christopher) Lore, Amy (John) Brennan, Beth Anne (William) Green, Ryan (Roxanne) Smart and Brandon (Morgan) Smart; as well as 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and three siblings, Nancy Runyan, Evelyn Weber and Alma Atkinson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hoyt Smart and her siblings, Edwin Musser, Charles “Butch” Musser, Bonnie Majetic and Ruthann Smart.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Thursday, October 1st, from 4-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Funeral Service will be held on Friday, at 10 A.M. Interment will follow at Hamton Cemetery in Allison Park.