Obituary of Lydia Ann Smithers

STOW - Lydia Ann Ball Smithers, 70, died unexpectedly June 17, 2021. Born in Colver, PA, she spent her childhood in Stow, graduating from Stow High School in 1969. Lydia was a graduate of the International Fine Arts College, and her inimitable flair for fashion enhanced her career in design and merchandising. She traveled the world and lived in many states before returning to her hometown of Stow upon her retirement. Lydia’s love of animals was boundless, and she rescued and fostered many abused horses. She was a gentle, compassionate soul who spent the last weeks of her life helping her mother recover from a hip fracture. Preceded in death by husband, William Smithers; father, Richard Ball; niece Lisa Ball, she is survived by her mother, Helen Ball; brother, Geoffrey (Cathy) Ball; sister, Eileen (Rick) Mehta; niece, Jennifer (Brian) Blanco; nephew, Jason Ball; great-nephews, Brendan and Cameron Blanco; and fiancé, Carl Lantz. Friends are welcome to join the family in celebrating Lydia’s life on July 30 between 10 AM and 12 PM followed by a memorial service at noon at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, 5623 New Milford Road, Ravenna, OH 44266.