Alice E. Smith

SHARON- Alice E. Smith, 100, died late Saturday afternoon, June 2, at the Brookside Nursing Home in White River Jct. She was born on December 2, 1906 in Union Village in Norwich, the daughter of Alphonso Edgar Smith and Clara "Minnie" Sweet Smith (later Sawyer).

She graduated from South Royalton High School in 1925 and attended one year of teacher training in Randolph, graduating in 1926. She taught school for 47 years. Her first two years were at the Howe Hill School (during the 1927 flood when the bridge went out); then at Tillson School on Broad Brook Road for one year; the Sharon Village School, teaching four grades for four years; and South Strafford Elementary for two years. She then became principal and was a teaching principal there until she retired in 1972.

On November 28, 1940, she married Lester Smith. Before and after her marriage, she loved dancing; enjoyed doing crafts and needlework, and liked to make her own patterns. She was known for her beautifully decorated cakes, which she made for any and every occasion She made wreaths with accordion pleated dollar bills as gifts for people in the church and community on special occasions. A greenthumb gardener, this hobby brought her pleasure by sharing the results with others. The church was decorated for years with her arrangements.

She was an active member of the Sharon Congregational Church, which she joined in her teens. She was church treasurer from 1965-1992. She received the National United Church of Christ Woman of the Year Award, the first year nominations were made. She worked on Old Home Day for years, including being President of Old Home Day. A life member of over 63 years of the Forrest Unity Chapter #82 Order of the Eastern Star, she was also a trustee of the library, trustee of public funds, and a member of the Hartford PTA, as well as a member of various teachers' and principals' associations over the years.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, and a sister Vesta S. Blodgett. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, a great-grandnephew and cousins.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 7 a 2 p.m. at the Sharon Congregational Church, with Rev. Douglas Moore, Betty Edson and Pastor Robin Lunn officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sharon. There will be no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Congregational Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 42, Sharon, Vt. 05065. Arrangements are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home of Chelsea.