Elizabeth Smith


LAKEVILLE— Elizabeth "Betty" Smith, 83, beloved wife of the late Brainerd Smith, died peacefully in her sleep in her Deep River, Conn., home on Jan. 24, 2007.

She was born in Sharon on May 11, 1923, the daughter of the late Charlotte (Judd) and Percy Decker of Lakeville.

Mrs. Smith was educated at the University of Connecticut and started her teaching career at Bacon Academy in Colchester, where she met the love of her life, Brainerd "Bud" Smith.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived in Deep River throughout their 53 year marriage and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Europe and entertaining friends and family in Maine during the summer months.

"Everyone loves Betty Smith" is a phrase that was aptly applied to Mrs. Smith, who especially loved and supported her church, The Deep River Congregational Church.

She helped conceptualize and start "Ye Old Country Fair" decades ago, which is still a major holiday fundraiser for the church. She was a deaconess and served on and chaired countless committees over the 50-plus years that she was a church member. Mrs. Smith loved to cook and was a great baker.

Many organizations benefited from her expertise, including the Deep River Library, the Deep River Ancient Muster and her church. She was a home economics teacher at Valley Regional High School from 1968 to 1981 and department chairperson from 1974 to 1981. She was also a member and chairperson of the Deep River Board of Education.

Mrs. Smith was the loving mother of Lynette and Rand Smith; grandmother of Hilary Smith, John and Justin Gorecki; and great-grandmother of Caitlin Elizabeth Gorecki and Kaleb and Aden Gorecki.

Mrs. Smith’s celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, at The Deep River Congregational Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbook, Conn.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the Deep River Congregational Church, Main Street, Deep River, CT 06417.

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