Smith, Madeline (McLean) passed away on April 28, 2019, surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of Joseph Smith (deceased) she was the loving mother of Lynn Smith of Brockton, Joanne Kinch of Dedham, Joe Smith (deceased) of Kentucky, Catherine Smith of West Roxbury, Brian Smith of Nevada and Gregory Smith of New Hampshire. She welcomed Kevin Kinch, Wendy Middleton Smith, Michele Bara and Michael Graham (deceased) into the extended Smith family. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy: Carly Kinch and James Kinch; Shannon, Rachel and Joseph Smith; Constance Hoffman, Sally and Stephanie Smith; and her great-grandchildren Hudson and Scarlett Hoffman were a special blessing.
Madeline, also known as Maddie to her friends, was born in Boston in 1930. She was a proud graduate of the Boston Teachers College. Maddie actively supported the school and was instrumental in raising scholarship money to continue the legacy of Boston Teachers College within the College of Education and Human Development at UMass Boston. She looked forward every year to the annual scholarship luncheon and spent hours researching a theme and then preparing and practicing her address to the alums. She loved her summers spent at the Bobolink Cottage in Monponsett, Massachusetts, and it was there that she met her husband Joe. After a brief time in Florida, they moved to Roslindale, Massachusetts and then lived in West Roxbury, Massachusetts where they raised their six children. Mrs. Smith (to her students) was a kindergarten teacher for twenty-three years, first at the Sophia Ripley School and then at the Edward Everett School, both in Boston. She put her musical talent at the piano to good use during her classes, and was known to play and entertain at many a social function. Madeline was also a proud and active member of the Boston Teachers Union. She was extremely devoted to the Faulkner Hospital – now part of Brigham and Women’s – where she volunteered in the gift shop for twenty-two years.
Daughter of the late Walter L. and Madeline (Goodale) McLean who resided in Dorchester, Massachusetts, she is also the sister to Dr. Walter L. McLean of Falmouth, Robert McLean of New Hampshire, and the late Joseph and Margaret McLean. She is also survived by her much loved sisters-in-law Frances McLean, Elaine McLean and Carol McLean, as well as brother-in-law Rod Smith and his wife Carol of Hingham, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow teachers and dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Madeline’s life during visiting hours from 4 pm to 8 pm on Thursday May 2, at the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre Street in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday May 3, at 11:30 am in the Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre Street in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Interment will follow at the New Calvary Cemetery in Boston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boston Teachers Scholarship Fund, c/o UMass Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125.
www.lawlerfuneralhome.com