PARSONSFIELD- Edith Reta Connick Smith passed away on May 17, 2021, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with her loving family by her side. This loving daughter, sister, wife and mother with an abundance of grace, resiliency and strength was 99 years old and savored every minute of her long life.
Edith was born to Percy and Lizzie (née Clemons) Connick on January 26, 1922. The fourth of five children, Edith enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the family farm in Brownfield, Maine. As a young child, she contracted polio but with her mother’s diligent care recovered with only a slight limp that never slowed her down. Edith graduated as valedictorian of her class at Bean Memorial High School where she was known as an avid reader. Her love of books caused her to trail behind her siblings when they walked to school because she was reading! This passion continued throughout her life, and Edith spent many hours in her favorite chair devouring books, magazines and newspapers.
She married Frederic D. Smith, Jr. in 1942. They were blessed to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary in 2001 before Fred predeceased her. Together, they raised a son, Craig, and daughter, Joan, in Parsonsfield, Maine (formerly Kezar Falls). Edith enjoyed sewing, baking and gifting her children and their friends with an abundance of after-school treats.
Early in their marriage and while Fred served in the Army during World War II, Edith spent time living with an aunt and working in Washington, D.C. She would return to D.C. over 60 years later with her daughter and granddaughter and recall how she saw Eleanor Roosevelt walk up the stairs of the American Red Cross building. The three generations of women also explored D.C. (including Mt. Vernon), Boston and Portland, Maine. This was particularly meaningful for history enthusiast Edith, who was a direct descendent of several Mayflower passengers and lived her life a few miles from Hiram, Maine, where her ancestor Peleg Wadsworth settled the family in the 1790s after serving as a Brigadier General under George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Edith believed staying young meant staying busy. She delighted in decorating her home of over 75 years and could be seen raking leaves and shoveling snow well into her 90s. Edith also drove until she was 96, including outings to local yard sales where she always found a unique treasure. She loved working, but chose to retire from Vulcan Electric at 70 years of age to care for her beloved husband.
Independent with her own sense of style, she was known as the lady in the purple hat. She wore this hat about town and on Sundays when she attended services at both the United Methodist Church and Calvary Bible Church. She also belonged to Calvary’s Bible Study Group and the local Widows Club, with whom she enjoyed dinners, teas and social outings. She was a longtime member of the American Legion and Eastern Star.
In 2020 on her 98th birthday, Edith received the Boston Post Cane in recognition for being the oldest resident of Parsonsfield. She relished being a special guest in the antique car division of the annual parade opening the Ossipee County Fair.
Edith is survived by her son, Craig D. Smith and wife Linda of Hiram, Maine; daughter Joan S. Medland and partner James Steuwe of Parsonsfield, Maine, and Ft. Pierce, Florida; grandchildren Kimberly J. Medland of Washington, D.C, Douglas C. Smith of Bedford, Massachusetts, and Deborah Smith Bouvier and husband Seth of Scituate, Massachusetts; and great-grandchildren Gabrielle Smith, Cole Smith and Darwin Bouvier and Huxley Bouvier. She also leaves behind numerous and beloved nieces and nephews.
A private committal service will be held at the Stanley Cemetery in South Hiram. Arrangements are by Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, Me. Condolences may be offered online through their website, www.mainefuneral.com. A Celebration of Life will be held in July.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their kindness and excellent care. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the charity of choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com