When Kris and Nolan Smith moved to Broomall in May 2013, they were ready to start their next chapter, building a life and family in a community they could call home. Little did they know, their new house on Cedar Grove Road would soon become the heart of so many memories, laughter and milestones, and that the same community they’d joined would one day rally around them when they needed it most.
Kris grew up with three older brothers in the Avon Grove School District, where her mother, Carol Maguire, remains an active volunteer. Her late father, Bill “Doc” Maguire, was a beloved community leader and Chief of Staff at Jennersville Regional Hospital before his passing in 2003. Kris credits her parents with instilling in her a love of community and helping others. Travel was an important part of her upbringing and family trips to Egypt, Greece, Italy, Germany and beyond shaped her worldview and appreciation for different cultures. “It helped me see beyond the surface and appreciate people’s stories,” she said.
Kris graduated from St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, DE, where she was a cheerleader and a member of the school’s tennis team. After high school, she went on to play Division II tennis at East Stroudsburg University (ESU), where she earned a degree in Political Science and a minor in History. During her time at ESU, Kris played both doubles and singles tennis and joined the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Sadly, during her senior year of college, Kris’s dad passed away, which led her to change plans after graduation. She moved to Texas briefly to live with her best friend. She later had a short stint in California before moving back to the East Coast and purchasing a house in Drexel Hill in 2008.
Nolan grew up in Upper Darby with his parents and brother Will. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1996, when it was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. A natural athlete, Nolan spent his youth playing baseball and softball around 69th Street with lifelong friends. He continued his education at Penn State University, graduating in 2000 with degrees in Accounting and Marketing.
For several years Nolan worked for Amkor Technology, the world’s largest US-based semiconductor packaging and test services provider. “One of the perks was the opportunity to travel to Japan three times,” he recalled. Today, Nolan serves as Vice President of Accounting at Coventry in Fort Washington, a company he’s been with for more than 20 years. Coventry is the leader and creator of the secondary market for life insurance. The work has given him many opportunities for professional growth. The company generously donates to CHOP, the Eagles Autism Foundation and other philanthropic organizations. “Working here has given me the opportunity to advance and grow, and thanks to the generosity of the owners, the Buerger family, I’ve sat up close to many Phillies, Sixers, Eagles and Flyers,” he said fondly.
Since he was a kid, Nolan has been an avid sports fan and collector. His love of sports cards began in childhood, when he visited Carl’s Cards in Havertown in search of the next great player. Sadly, much of his collection was lost in the family’s recent house fire.
Kris and Nolan’s story began in 2011 with a chance meeting at Maggie O’Neil’s Pub in Drexel Hill, where Kris was a regular, attending monthly meetings of her “WhiskeyStone” group. She and the other members sipped and discussed the subtleties of fine whiskeys. Nolan happened to stop in after one of his softball games, and a mutual friend and bartender, affectionately known as “Clarkie,” made the introduction. One conversation led to another, and soon Kris and Nolan discovered their shared values, humor and a love for Philly sports and community that would define their future together.
The couple married on August 25, 2012, in Kris’s childhood church in West Grove, celebrating afterward back in Delco with friends and family at Kings Mills in Aston. Their honeymoon in Punta Cana, where they ziplined through the mountains, had a goat encounter and plenty of sunshine, was, as Kris described, “the calm before the storm.” Less than a year later, they welcomed their first child, Mackenzie, and made their move to Broomall with their dog, Peanut-Bear, ready to start their life together.
The Smiths’ three children: Mackenzie (12), Nolan (11), and Declan (9), each bring their own spark to the family. Mackenzie, now in seventh grade at Paxon Hollow Middle School, is an active student and athlete. She plays the flute in the school band, sings in the choir and “Tiger Tones,” participates in musicals, and plays travel soccer with the MNSA Tigers. She’s also a basketball and softball player and recently earned her babysitting certification through Delaware County Community College. “Mackenzie is smart, kind and generous,” says Kris. “She’s talkative, social and always busy, but she also loves her quiet time with a book or music.”
Nolan, who is aptly named for his father, is a kind sixth grader at Paxon Hollow. He shares his dad’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. He’s passionate about science, animals, dinosaurs, and, like many his age, Pokémon and Minecraft. He plays soccer, recently completed his first season of cross-country, and is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 122. Nolan loves STEM and has enjoyed being in the gifted program since second grade. “He’s our fact-checker,” Kris laughed. “If you need a random trivia fact, Nolan probably knows it.”
Then there’s Declan, the family’s energetic and curious third grader at Russell Elementary. Born “en caul,” or still in the amniotic sac, Kris joked that he “was born in an egg and has been cracking out of it ever since.” Declan’s love of sports is unstoppable: Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, you name it, he plays it. “If there’s a ball around, it’s in his hands,” Kris said. “He’s adventurous, inclusive, and always moving.”
When the kids were younger, Kris poured her energy into volunteering, first with Hillview Nursery School, where all three children attended, then at Russell Elementary, where she served on the PTO board and later as Vice President. She helped organize family nights, fundraisers and community events, including the beloved Family Pizza Bingo Night. “Collaborating with the other PTO parents and volunteers who are all amazing, dedicated and selfless, helps reinforce the community. I’ve always believed that when we show up for our schools and our kids, we’re shaping memories that last a lifetime,” she said.
Her involvement didn’t stop there. As a lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, Kris also coached her kids’ teams across multiple sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. “There aren’t many female coaches in boys’ sports,” she said, “but it’s so rewarding to encourage kids to just have fun. That’s always my mantra. Have fun, and come back next season.”
Kris also works as a Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist for NewFashioned, a company that partners with startups and growing businesses. She joined the team in early 2022, grateful for the flexibility of remote work and the opportunity to make an impact while still being active in her children’s lives. “It’s an amazing team of women,” she explained. “They welcomed me in and gave me the space to grow professionally and personally.”
The Smiths moved to Broomall in May 2013 after finding their forever home on Cedar Grove Rd. “It’s a great school district and the best place to build a life and sense of community,” said Kris. A couple of years ago, Nolan’s parents Maggie and Tom moved from Upper Darby to Broomall to be closer to their grandchildren. “You’ll see Maggie at every event the kids are involved in, helping out or cheering them on,” said Kris.
The Smiths’ world was turned upside down in the early morning hours of March 15, 2025, when an electrical fire broke out in their Broomall home. The blaze began in the basement and quickly spread behind the walls, severely damaging the structure and destroying most of their belongings.
“Thankfully, everyone got out safely,” Kris said. “That’s what matters most.” Multiple fire departments responded, saving what they could. The aftermath, though devastating, revealed the true strength of community. From the moment the fire trucks pulled away, neighbors, friends and local families stepped in. “The Marple Newtown community is amazing,” Kris said. “People showed up with meals, clothes, rides for the kids. Anything we needed.” Friends like John Kildea of Kildea Construction helped guide them through the rebuilding process, while others like their friends Katie and Lindsay, coordinated donations and kept the family’s spirits high.
For now, the Smiths are temporarily living on the Garrett Williamson property in Newtown Square, surrounded by 216 acres of nature, goats, alpacas and even a horse named Willow. “It’s been healing in its own way,” Kris reflects. “The kids love the space, and we’re still in the same school district, so it’s been a smooth transition.” The family hopes to return to their rebuilt home in early 2026, grateful for the helping hands that made it possible.
Losing a home is never easy, but Kris and Nolan have found gratitude in the experience. “You never know where life will take you, so seize the day,” Kris said. “Life brings ups and downs, and things can be replaced. But people can’t.”
The Smiths also became advocates for fire safety. Kris encourages everyone to check smoke alarms regularly, document household belongings and keep important items in a fireproof safe. “You think it won’t happen to you, until it does,” she said.
Through it all, the Smith family motto remains simple: Carpe Diem (seize the day). It’s a message they hope their children, neighbors and community will carry forward. “Being active and involved isn’t just about what you give,” Kris says. “It’s about the relationships you build — and how those relationships lift you up when life takes an unexpected turn.”