Robin E. Smith
Robin Elizabeth Smith, 70, a resident at Meadowood in Worcester, PA, passed away peacefully
on November 6, 2023 with friends by her side. She was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 18, 1953 to the late Robert E. and Mary (nee Hendel) Smith. Robin lived in her childhood home in Plymouth Meeting until 2019 when she moved to Meadowood. During her lifetime, she attended Plymouth Meeting Friends School, Class of 1965 and Germantown Academy, Class of 1971. She often returned to GA for the annual GA/PC games and celebrated her 50th year reunion in 2021. In 1975, she graduated from Kenyon College, a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, with a BA in English. It was there that she gained the expertise for her future career in editing.
Robin started her editing career at The Times Herald in Norristown, where she spent 16 years.
Graduating from her first responsibility of editing the obituary page, she was promoted to night
city editor. One of her many mentors was sports editor Tony Leodora. While sports editing with
The Times Herald she revolutionized coverage of girl’s sports, bringing them to the same level
as the boys in terms of coverage.
In 1994, Robin defected to The Inquirer. “Smitty”, as she was affectionately referred to by her
newsroom colleagues, was known for her love of pet peeves, 46,177 at the last count before
retiring 20 years later. In the 2014 edition of CopyEditingTruth.com, considered the most
comprehensive editing reference, Robin Smith was at the top of the list. The Inquirer ranked
her among the top three copy editors in sports department history. She was known to handle
30 stories in an hour. It is unclear if Robin ever saw daylight in her 30+ years as a night sports
editor. Besides Robin’s passion for sports and her most beloved team, the Eagles, she also had
an interest in travel. Some of her most memorable destinations included Greece, Africa and
France.
Relatives and friends are invited to Robin’s funeral service, Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 11
am at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh, 7020 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, PA
19034. Interment to follow in the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robin’s name may be made to Germantown Academy,
340 Morris Rd, Fort Washington, PA 19034 or St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh.
