Carol Lee Smith, 72, passed away on April 28th, 2026 at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital in Brighton Township surrounded by her family after an extended illness. She was the loving daughter of the late Georgine Cook Watts. In addition to her mother, Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Smith, as well as her mother-in-law and father-in-law Ruth and Berch Smith. She is survived by her brothers and sisters–in-laws, David and Belinda Watts and Michael and Mary Ellen Watts, her sister-in-law, Melody Smith, her nieces: Lindsey (Dan), Alexandra, Maura, and Laila; as well as many loving cousins, and a host of great friends.

Carol was a 1971 graduate of New Brighton High School and received her degree in physical educationfrom Penn State University in 1975. Carol was an annual staff member at YMCA Camp (Y-Camp “Kon-O-Kwee”) and greatly looked forward to the event each year. She was gifted musically, playing her clarinet & bass clarinet in numerous area concerts. She was a remarkable athlete, participating in tennis, softball, and swimming (serving as a lifeguard). Family trips together to Peace Valley orchards will always be priceless along with so many other wonderful memorable events spent together. She met the love of her life, Jay Smith, at a dance and that led to a beautiful marriage and the start of tranquil life on a farm in Ohio. They spent many happy years together along with Justin, her stepson. Some of her favorite activities would include hosting raucous Steeler vs Browns parties, having family fun-filled nerf battles, visiting fairs, and watching Jay race motorcycles. She spent her career at Duquesne Light Company/First Energy working in various departments until her retirement. During her years of working, she was fortunate to make lifelong friends, and greatly looked forward to catching up on scheduled lunch dates. She will always be remembered for her infectious smile, her quirky sense of humor, her love of a good time, and for her compassion for others. Her family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the countless caregivers, physicians, nurses, staff, and therapists who have lovingly cared for Carol with their humor, encouragement, compassion, and dedication.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late June to honor Carol and to share the impact she made.

Carol’s final gift was a gift of life made to CORE, Center for Organ Recovery & Education, in hopes of giving life to others.

Joyce Anne (Prokopovich) Cahill, 70, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home early on April 10th, 2026. She was born in Baden on February 22nd, 1956, a daughter of the late Andrew and Thelma (Barry) Prokopovich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Tom McKernan and her sister-in-law, Cheryl Prokopovich.

She is survived by her two children, Eva Cahill (Greg) Stockmaster of Powell, Ohio and Charlotte Cahill (Tim) Shields of Chicago, Illinois, their father, Kenneth Cahill, of Columbus, Ohio, her two grandchildren, Fiona Stockmaster and Henry Shields, and five siblings: Deacon Mark (Tracy) Prokopovich of Baden, Gayle McKernan of Beaver, Karen Rudolph of Baden, Robert Prokopovich of Ambridge and Paul (Carol) Prokopovich of Virginia.

Joyce attended school at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic School and Ambridge Area High School. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and from The Ohio State University with a Masters in Nursing (NP). She was a member of the cheerleading squad at Pitt and in 1978, was awarded “Miss Cheerleader USA.” As such, Joyce was a cheerleader to her family and friends, always showing her support through encouragement, mentorship, and unconditional love. She lit up every room she entered and brought us all joy with her big smile, sense of humor and infectious laugh. She knew no stranger and cared for those with illness or who were less fortunate through her nursing vocation with The Ohio State University Hospital and in her membership at Saint Joan of Arc Church in Powell, Ohio in their choir, and at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge.

She was unfortunately diagnosed with melanoma in 2016 and faced this challenge head on to fight the disease for almost the next decade. She was determined to fight against the diagnosis. Joyce leaned on the support of her family, friends, caretakers, her strong faith in God and an ongoing quest for new treatments and trials with her dedicated care team at The James Cancer Hospital (OSU), no matter how challenging for her to endure. After all, this meant more time with the family and friends so dear to her heart. Despite the ups and downs of her journey, and its progression to Stage 4 in the last few years, Joyce was persistent in her fight up until the end, with a smile on her face even in the toughest of moments.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 14th, from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Panachyda service will be held on Friday, May 15th, at 10:30 A.M., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M., in SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th Street, Ambridge, with Father Michael Polosky and her brother, Deacon Mark Prokopovich, officiating. Immediately following the service, Interment will take place in SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 404 6th St, Ambridge.

Donations in her honor can be made to SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th St, Ambridge, PA 15003 Saint Joan of Arc Church, 10700 Liberty Rd, Powell, OH 43065 or James Care for Life Garden of Hope at OSU.