Marguerite E. Smith

Marguerite E (Ronk) Smith 

December 4, 1940 - April 2, 2022

St. Augustine, FL 

Romance/Suspense author, Marge Smith, aka Elizabeth Sinclair passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family.  

Marge was born in Walden, NY to Mildred (Greene) and Preston Ronk where she lived until she met and married the love of her life, Robert F Smith. Together they raised three wonderful children.  

Marge used her many talents over the years to help support her family; butcher’s assistant, waitressing, and darkroom technician. Eventually, Marge and Bob relocated to St Augustine, FL where together they owned a small landscape service.

Marge’s voracious appetite for reading turned into a passion for writing. A laundry room became a sanctuary and an old typewriter was put to the test.  

In September of 1994, she released her first book, Jenny’s Castle. During her career she won numerous awards, taught writing, chaired conferences, co-founded RWA chapters, provided as RWA’s Region 3 Director and published over 30 books with Silhouette Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense, Harlequin American, Kensington Precious Gems, Medallion Press and Salt Run Publishing. If asked, winning the Rita for Jenny’s Castle was her crowning joy.

Her passion for writing became a passion for the art of storytelling. She specifically took great pride in teaching and sharing her knowledge and experience with other writers. When traveling to conferences or speaking engagements, she made a point of learning about the area as inspiration for her own writing or simply as a good story for family and friends.

Marge’s infectious wit and sense of humor filled even the smallest moments with laughter and joy. She will be greatly missed especially by her readers, the writing community, her dear friends and her family whom she took great pride in and loved deeply.

Marge is preceded by her loving husband, Robert F Smith. She leaves behind her children: Linda (Thomas) Quinn, Toni Kingsbury, Bobby (Jenny Koch) Smith; grandchildren: Rian (Charmaine) Quinn, Sean (Anastasia) Quinn, Meghan (Stephanie Burnett) Quinn, Emily Kingsbury, Preston Smith; great grandchildren: Charlotte Quinn, Crosby Burnett, Ruby Burnett, Olivia Quinn. 

Private services will be held at the family's convenience. Marge's family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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