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Felecia Smith Celebration of Life

  • Tenderloin Museum 398 Eddy Street San Francisco, CA, 94102 (map)

Felecia Smith Celebration of Life

Tuesday November 21, 2023 | 2-3pm

At the Tenderloin Museum | 398 Eddy St. SF, CA 94102

Join us to celebrate the life of Felecia Smith, longtime Tenderloin resident, community organizer, tour guide, and friend of the museum on Tuesday November 21, 2023 from 2-3pm. 

The Tenderloin Museum is hosting a celebration of life for Felecia Smith. We welcome all who knew her to gather for this memorial, pay respects, and share a memory on Tuesday November 21st at 2pm. 

Felecia Smith (1961-2023) was born in Twentynine Palms, CA to Dixie Hesley McCain & Charles Osborn and grew up amongst family in Cedar Springs, MI. She had called San Francisco home since 1980 when she moved out West with her adoptive brother Matt, and she eventually cultivated a career in administration at the UCSF Medical School, married, and had two children. Later in life, she became a longtime Tenderloin resident, tenant organizer, and active participant in the TL community. Felecia was passionate about her organizing work with the Central City SRO Collaborative and for State Senator Matt Haney’s office, leading historic walking tours for the Tenderloin Museum, as well as sitting on the board for the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. She was a lifelong music lover and sang in several local choruses, including at GLIDE and with a group that recorded at Hyde St. Studios.

Felecia thrived when helping people. She had to overcome several periods of hardship throughout her life, yet possessed immense resilience; an ability to withstand tragedy, and to turn difficult circumstances around. Earlier this year, she returned to her hometown in Michigan after being diagnosed with a rapidly progressing macular degeneration on top of a serious heart condition; she passed away amongst family in October. She is survived by her children Kim (Junior) and Ellie, her adoptive brother Matt Hesley, adoptive mother, and family in Michigan.

For those who would like to attend but are out of the area, email info@tenderloinmuseum.org for a Zoom link.