Janice Marie Wright Smallwood, 56, whose passion for bipartisan local politics helped attract people to public service in Chicago’s South Shore area, died Sunday of complications from diabetes. Mrs. Smallwood was active in both Democratic and Republican circles, said her daughter, Yolande D. Smallwood. She hosted political functions and served as an election judge. “She was someone who could get other people motivated,” said her daughter. “She was so engaging that other people would want to be around her and then she’d say, `Get out those checkbooks; there’s a reason for this party.’ ” Born in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Mrs. Smallwood was a 1959 graduate of DuSable High School. She worked for AT&T Corp., Michael Reese Hospital and Hyde Park Bank, some of her income helping to put her husband, James H. Smallwood Jr., through medical school. She later worked as a real estate agent for ERA Unique Realty. Besides her husband and daughter, survivors include a son, Jeffrey; three sisters, Justine Sterling, Benita Wright and Elois Canty; and a brother, Alvin Wright. Visitation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in A.A. Rayner and Sons, 318 E. 71st St., Chicago, followed by services at 8 p.m.
