Emily Kathleen Arndt-Smith
 1971 - 2007
Read the poem A Prayer: For Emily Arndt
by Tom Kirby-Smith

Emily Kathleen Arndt-Smith, 36, died in Georgetown University Hospital, Saturday, December 1, 2007, after a brave battle with cancer.  A memorial mass was celebrated by Father Robert Rivers, a close family friend for many years, at Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart on the Georgetown University campus on Monday, December 3. 

Emily was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, February 20, 1971, and attended Grimsley High School.  She did her undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and she earned her master’s degree at Fordham University and her doctorate in theology at The University of Notre Dame.  She first taught religious studies at Converse College and for the last two years has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

In 1997 Emily married Michael Smith, also of Greensboro; they have two children, Virginia Marguerite, five years old, and Langston Nathaniel, five months old. Emily, Michael, and their family lived in South Bend, Indiana, Spartanburg, South Carolina, and then settled in Washington, DC.  Everywhere they lived they made fast and faithful friends, many of whom have been enormously helpful and loving during Emily’s illness.

Emily’s father and mother, Murray and Frances Arndt, live in Greensboro and teach at UNCG’s Ashby Residential College.  Michael’s parents, Frank and Anne Barnhill, reside in Cary, North Carolina. Emily is also survived by Michael’s brother Jason, his wife Kristi and their daughter Bela, of Asheville, North Carolina, and his brother Adam, also of Asheville. Michael’s grandparents, Jack and Virginia Clinard, reside in Holden Beach, North Carolina, and his aunt Becky Clinard lives in Greensboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington, 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 506, Arlington, VA 22203 (Please state “Children’s Services” in the memo line.) or to the Emily Arndt Fund at Ashby Residential College, 124 Mary Foust Hall, UNCG, Greensboro, NC 27402.

Emily was a wonderful daughter, a loving wife and mother, a dedicated teacher, and a beloved friend of many.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Arrangements for future remembrances are incomplete at this time.

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