At 98 pounds and barely 5 feet tall, Pat Smentek needs two cushions just to reach the pedals of her Ford 450 Super Duty dump truck.
But what sets her apart in the world of trash-hauling is not just her diminutive size, but the fact that Smentek is 81 years old.
She has had breast cancer and open heart surgery and a marriage she stayed in for far too long. But every day she climbs into her truck and heads to the Santa Cruz landfill with a load of trash is an adventure.
See Smentek’s story (video and story by Peggy Townsend).
17 responses so far ↓
John Scanlon // Oct 25, 2007 at 12:48 am
Pat I don’t know you, but you are my new hero! Most people don’t know how wonderful the view from dump really is! Keep going strong! People like you give us all encouragement.
Peggy great story and video as usual !
John
Rob* // Oct 25, 2007 at 6:24 am
Pat you’re doin’ a beautiful thing, but you didn’t shut your door or put on your seatbelt. I’m a little concerned bout’ your driving…
inrocket » SANTA CRUZ STORIES: Pat Smentek, the grandma of the landfill // Oct 25, 2007 at 9:13 am
[…] here for full […]
Jeff Scargill // Oct 25, 2007 at 9:46 am
I remember when I built and worked on Pats trucks 25 years ago I,m happy to no your still at it
Carol Lewis // Oct 25, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Miss Pat,
We were your neighbors and you were always
kind and helpful. We still have the hutch
you gave us! Thanks for being such an
insperation.
The Lewis’s
joe ann waugh // Oct 26, 2007 at 9:09 am
hey…you made my day!!… shows what us “old folks” are really made of…no wonder we are called “the greatest generation”.
Thor smith // Oct 26, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I just loved Pat’s story and her enthusiasm. What a terrific example for all the younger generation!
Jessica // Oct 27, 2007 at 8:49 am
I’ve met Pat and she is amazing. She had more energy than I did that day and I was 26.
She parked her huge truck in a space I could never and enlisted the help of me to look for her.
I was so drawn to her.
Santa Cruz Dan // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:29 am
She is an inspiration to us all…It’s comforting to know that age is just a state of mine. I was talking to Louie Marenghi who is 90 the other day and I told him that I would never see 90 and he said if I think like that I never will. So from now on I am thinking that I will see 90 and I am 55 now..:))
Mark & Cindy Williams // Nov 1, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Way to Go Aunt Pat!
Jean and Roger told us about your newspaper article and video! We are so proud of you! Keep up the good work. You have always been
a strong women. I am glad others could share a little bit of your life….
Lynne Frazier // Nov 2, 2007 at 10:52 am
I second Mark & Cindy’s comments! I’m so proud of you and everything you do. You’re amazing!
Tracy Hazard Allen // Nov 10, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Way to go Aunt Pat! I am so proud of you too, but as Rob said above, close your door and put on that seat belt! We love you too much to have you fall out on the highway.
Sally Bahous Allen // Nov 10, 2007 at 1:31 pm
How delighted we are that your genes are part of our grandchildren’s !!! Good for you, Miss Pat. We’re thrilled to know you.
Debra Sikes // Apr 15, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Pat,
I enjoyed meeting you last summer and could feel your positive energy and enthusiasm for life. You are a beautiful woman–very much a Katherine Hepburn–but most important, you look for the beauty in our imperfect world and celebrate life. Thanks for your example.
Debra
valina w // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Howdy Granny,
Remember back in the early 80’s in Houston when you let Diana and I eat an entire bucket of ice-cream with our faces? We giggled all night long. You watched ET with us. We had so much fun with you that weekend. I’ll never forget it. Diana is so much like you in so many ways. Your strength, determination and spirit show up in her all the time. I’m proud to know you and wish you many more successful years driving your truck! Do you have a good, loud and crazy horn to honk?
Diana Sikes // Apr 16, 2008 at 11:34 am
If my granny isn’t an inspiration, I don’t know who is!
I’m proud to be your granddaughter, Grandma Pat.
adaptiveARC » Blog Archive » News for Oct.26, 2007 // May 28, 2008 at 11:16 am
[…] Pat Smentek: The grandma of the landfill […]
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