Joan M. Smith departed this world on October 30, 2017 surrounded by her family after a hard fought battle with cancer. In life she was a devoted wife and mother. She was a deeply spiritual woman believing in love and service over all. She treasured every friendship and the closeness of her family.Joan was born in Boston, MA, the daughter of Mary Frances Axford and Frank E. Herkes. She was a graduate of St. Charles High School in La Place, LA and of Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in fine arts. Joan was an accomplished artist and also did some modeling. She was an herbalist having studied under David Winston and also studied with Diane Newman, a naturopathic physician. Joan worked for Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell for the past five years and had previously worked for Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising Agency.Joan is survived by her dear, devoted and loving husband of 21 years, Shawn D. Smith; her precious children, Justus and Soren; her dear stepson, Dondre DeJesus; her loving parents Mary and Frank Herkes of Wilmington; her brother and his wife, Doug and Kerina Herkes of Loveland, OH and their boys, Corey and Owen; her sister and her husband, Diane and Rob Black of Kalispell, MT and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.Funeral services will be held on Friday, November, 10, 2017 at the MEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 2509 Limestone Road at 12 Noon. Friends may call from 10 AM to 12 Noon. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, Newark, DE 19711