Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, James D. Smith, in 1999; her daughter, Sally Bagdon; and her brother, Ray Kinnard. I always wished I had had the drive to practice more. She also toured with the many stars of yester year, even the Three Stooges. She performed and produced many shows for Bakersfield Civic Light Opera, 'the Melodrama', including her well renowned recitals at the Harvey. Lenore was born February 29, 1924 in Long Beach, California. Eventually, she took ownership of the studio, renaming it 'Lenore Smith Dance Arts'. Not sure what to say? Her spirit lives on for the many whose lives she touched. It was there that she began her lifelong love of dance. She is loved and missed by family, friends, and a community that knew her as Miss Lenore. I remember one time she tought my tap class when my real teacher wasn't here. She is also survived by her dear sister, Glenna (Grant) Hancock, and leaves behind many dear nephews and nieces who she dearly loved. She also gained a great love and appreciation for the culture and people of Hawaii. Lenore was preceded in death by her sweet husband, Gale; her mother and father, Hazel and Marion Christensen; her brother, Grant Christensen; and her sister, Cherie Henry. Surviving are her children, James W. Smith and Sandra Gaito; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Hill, Leslie (Matthew) Hill, Ann Marie (Bruce) Bagdon-Orr, and Mark (Pam) Bagdon; and great-grandchildren, Grace Hill, Hannah Hill, Andrew Hill, Riley Hill, Jessica Bagdon and Eric Faulx. Lenore began her life as a choreographer and dance instructor.

She certainly encouraged me. In 1949 she combined her love for the gospel with her love of dance to serve an LDS mission in Hawaii. Lenore Kinnard Smith, 99, formerly of New Kensington, passed away peacefully Monday, June 22, 2020. Our condolences go out to the family, may God bring you strength and comfort. It brought me out of my shell, took away my shyness and gave me the confidence to be in theater, musical theater, the opera and an extra in movies. She is survived by her son, Marten (Cindy); her son, Michael (Tiffany); and her daughter, Michelle; and by her grandchildren, Jason (Kylie), Matthew, Zachary, Megan, Emily, Mikayla, Chad, Parker, Benjamin, Teagan, Kennedy, and Milo.

She toured places like Panama, Central America, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Published in The Valley News Dispatch on Jun.

I am happy that she was in my life andi am going to miss her a lot.

As a youth I was introduced to dancing by Lenore. Lenore Ledger Smith Bridgeton, N.J. Lenore Smith (nee Ledger), 84, of Bridgeton died Wednesday evening March 27, 2019 at The Cumberland Manor in … After 40 years of teaching she retired in June of 2011.

On June 10, 1952 she married her sweetheart Gale Nye Smith in the St. George LDS Temple. Lenore Kinnard Smith, 99, formerly of New Kensington, passed away peacefully Monday, June 22, 2020. I am 8 and a half now,and I was there when Miss Lenore got her special day on June 11th. Share to let others add their own memories and condolences ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD. of New Kensington was entrusted with her arrangements. She got me and my brother in the High...I was privileged to have met Lenore when my daughter began taking clases a few years ago in her studio. Terry & Joyce Kinnard She was a girlhood friend of my mother's from her Albuquerque days.

After the wedding, they moved to Bakersfield, CA to begin their life together.

I was not athletic, shy to a fault and scared to death. We will remember all the good memories we have of Aunt Lenore. Little did I know that it would become a lifelong love of dancing and performing. I babysat for her son Marten. She has touched so many lives, more than her family can even comprehend, through her love of teaching and her love of dance. Her family later moved to Hollywood, California to help her pursue that dream. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time,

We were deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Guest Book sponsored by Ross G. Walker Funeral Home Ltd. She first began teaching in her home and then started with Madie' Du Fresne.

I am grateful for the memories and for her presence in my life.I took dancing lessons with 2 friends from 1955 to 1963. No memorial events are currently scheduled.

She was born April 10, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Harry and Margaret Stitt Kinnard, and was a 1939 graduate of Washington Township High School. 25, 2020.Please allow 24 hours for your entry to be reviewed for appropriate content.

Chester Ave., Bakersfield 93308. Plant a tree to honor the memory of your loved one.

That will be followed by a funeral at 7 p.m. at the same location. I am sure she will be looking down on us with Uncle Jim and Sally.