Obituary of Norman Shaw Smith

Norman Shaw Smith of Fairfax, Virginia, died peacefully at his home following a long illness, on May 19, 2013. He was 77 years old. N. Shaw Smith was the much loved husband of Jo Marie Griesgraber. He was the loving and devoted father of six children: Shaw II of Center Sandwich, NH, Christopher of San Raphael, CA, Lisa Robin of Haddonfield, NJ, Andrea of Philadelphia, PA, Stanley, of Alexandria, VA, and David, of Harrisonburg, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Gary of Charlottesville, VA, and his brother, Stanley Smith of Mason, OH. He was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren: Michaela, Anderson, Isabel and Allison. Mr. Smith, born in Norfolk, VA, graduated from the Virginia Episcopal School, Lynchburg, VA, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, and the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, Boston, MA. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship after his graduation from college. Mr. Smith served for 33 years as a career foreign service officer in the U.S. Department of State, serving in several posts in the Near East and in South America. He received presidential citations for his work. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization and for Intelligence and Research. Shaw Smith enjoyed painting, traveling with family and supporting both the UNC Tarheels and the Washington Redskins. He loved justice and had a passion for politics. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12pm (noon), Saturday, May 25, at Our Lady Queen of Peace in South Arlington just off 19th and Glebe Road. The viewing will be at 11:30 a.m. immediately before the mass. A reception will follow at our home. In lieu of flowers, you might consider a contribution to your favorite charity, or Our Lady Queen of Peace, or New Rules for Global Finance.