Candace Smith (Candy)

Candance Smith

February 21st 1945 - September 6th 2021

​From the late 1960’s through the 1970’s,

Candy became established as a local celebrity in Philadelphia.

​A remarkably talented commercial actress on radio and TV, she gained acclaim in her role as the “Phillies Girl,” the spokesmodel for the Phillies baseball team.

During that same period in her life, Candace began studying and practicing Classical Yoga with Dr. Vijayendra Pratap. She was a founding member of theSwami Kuvalayananda Yoga (SKY) Foundation which was formed on October 17, 1972.

​Soon after SKY was established, Dr. Pratap asked Candace to acquire seven books and manage their sale, and so, the Garland of Letters Bookstore was born. From that moment, Candy devoted the rest of her life to the nurturing and growth of a store that became respected far and wide as an important center of the “New Age” spiritual movement in America. Her dedication to her teacher, manifested in Garland of Letters, is her legacy.

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