Nancy Smith Hagopian

Nancy Smith Hagopian April 6, 1953 - September 9, 2017 Nancy Smith Hagopian, age 64, of St. Augustine, passed away on Sept. 9, 2017 with her daughters by her side. Nancy was born and raised in North Miami, Florida and graduated from North Miami Senior High School with the class of 1971. She went on to attend the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1976. After graduating from UF, Nancy began a career in real estate in Gainesville, FL. She was extremely successful in her new career, selling more than a million dollars in homes in her first year. She later founded and ran her own company, Commodore Management for 15 years. During this time, Nancy cared for more than 25 members of her extended family and friends in her home including nieces, nephews, an elderly aunt and many others in need of a helping hand. In 2004, Nancy changed her career and attended the University of West Florida where she studied Historic Preservation. After receiving her teaching certification in 2006, she began working as a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola. In 2011, she moved to St. Augustine and taught 7th & 8th grade Civics, U.S. History and Honors Reading at Fruit Cove Middle School. Nancy served as a representative in the Teacherâ€™s Union, started a Dance Club at Fruit Cove Middle School, and was a Sponsor for Fruit Cove Cares. In 2015, she won the Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics, and was runner up for the award again in 2016. Nancy was a true renaissance woman and has traveled all over the world living in Bermuda and Japan. She enjoyed learning a diversity of subjects both academic and practical and embraced new technologies. She once appeared on the NBC Today Show being showcased as one of America's first female home brewers. She was an avid sports fan, especially of baseball and Florida Gator football. She was an excellent ballroom dancer and bridge player, enjoyed cooking, and was an avid reader. Her greatest accomplishment however, was raising a wonderful family of three beautiful and accomplished daughters who loved her deeply and dearly. She is survived by her daughters, Lauren Hagopian (Evans Hillen) of East Quogue, N.Y., Marlaine Hudgins (Mark) of Orlando, Diane Hagopian of New York, N.Y.; brothers, James O. Smith, Jr. of Davie, FL., Michael Smith (Pam) of Dania Beach, FL; and half siblings, Audrey Smith Hollis (Chris), Jack Smith, Jay Smith, Joel Smith, Angie Harper and Jinnene Massey of Alabama and Sara Muncher of Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, James O. Smith, Sr. and Mary Joyce Blanton Smith, and her half-brother, Timothy Smith. A funeral service will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, Sept. 17, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with long-time friend and Reverend Johanna Miller officiating.Â A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 on Saturday at St. Johns Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations for a scholarship fund in Nancy's memory can be made to: Marlaine Hudgins, 1011 Elmwood Street, Orlando, FL 32801. St. Johns Family Funeral Home in St. Augustine is in charge of arrangements.