Laquea Michelle Smith was born to Victoria Smith on November 5, 1991, in New York City. She sadly departed this life at the young age of 31, losing her fight with juvenile diabetes, which was diagnosed at the age of 7.

Quea was educated in the Borough of Manhattan, attending schools within the Department of Education. She attended P.S. 185 - graduating with the achievement of 5th grade valedictorian, Tito Puente Junior High School, and Louis D. Brandeis High School, earning her General Equivalency Diploma in June 2009. Quea gained employment in food retail, worked for the administration of Children's Services, and worked as an assistant in a Manhattan daycare. In 2007, Quea enrolled in the Phipps Career Network Program that trained and supported participants on a focused path for healthcare-related careers. Upon completing this program, she was selected to extend the commencement speech for her class in May 2017. The achievement gave her the opportunity to become a Nurse Assistant with the Hospital of Special Surgery (H.S.S.) in New York City. She was well-liked by her colleagues and the H.S.S. staff.

Quea was intelligent, funny, and enjoyed working with people. Some of her favorite passions were food, music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her daughter, Leahmarie.

Her heavenly welcoming party includes her great-grandmother, Odessa (Mama); grandmother, Bertha (Mabert); grandfather, Thomas (T.C.); uncle, Thomas (Junior); aunts, Shirley, Brenda, and Marie (Lorraine); some great-aunts; great-uncles; cousins; and her sweet dog, Sweetie.

There are special people in our lives that never leave us,

even after they are gone.

We do not remember days; we remember moments.

We will remember our moments with Quea

and smile when we think of her.