Patricia Smith

Patricia A. Smith, 89, a longtime resident of Peterborough, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2019 at Summerhill Assisted Living. She was born October 27, 1929 in Derby, CT, the oldest of nine children born to Nelson and Kathleen (Mitchell) Stevens. After a time in Hazardville, CT, the family moved to Rehoboth, MA where many wonderful years were spent on a dairy farm operated by her father. Pat graduated from the former Dighton High School and later met Frederick P. Smith from nearby Attleboro, to whom she was married in 1952 until his passing December 30, 2007.

On January 1, 1961, the Smith family moved from Rehoboth to Peterborough where Pat became an active member of the United Methodist Church, the Nubanusit Campers, and the Cloudbusters square dance group. She enjoyed many summers of camping with her family throughout New England, but especially along the Maine coast where the Smiths eventually became seasonal residents of the Wells-Moody Condominium Campground. After a brief time in Florida in the early 1990s, Pat and her husband returned to Peterborough so that they could be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A loving, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with a contagious smile and a listening ear, Pat was known for her strong love for God and belief in the power of prayer that overflowed in kindness to all she encountered. Often thinking of the needs of others before her own, Pat served many years on church missions and outreach ministries, and volunteered her time for local nonprofit organizations, including the Monadnock Hospital Auxiliary and the Peterborough area Christian Women’s Club.

Family members include a son, Steve of Peterborough; daughters Karen (Tobey) of Auburn and Judy (Gagne) of Harrisville; sisters Kathleen (Young) of Portland, ME, Betsy (Berndt) of Southborough, MA, Judy (Matchett) of Tucson, AZ, and Ellen (Stevens) of Zephyrhills, FL; brothers David of Englewood, FL, and Peter and Craig, both of Rehoboth; grandchildren Emily Smith of Salem, MA, Dan Smith of Burlington, VT, Shannon Tobey of Manchester, Noelle Tobey of Somerset, MA, and Glenn Gagne of Burnet, TX; three great-children; 17 nieces and nephews. A brother, Nelson Stevens Jr., passed away in 2013.

There are no calling hours. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Pat’s life on Saturday, January 19 at 11 a.m. at Renew Church, 53 Elmwood Road, Hancock.