LUNENBURG - A strong, loving woman left the world on Thursday, November 12, 2015. Shirley Edith Smith (Rolfe) of Lunenburg, VT died in her sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. The world is a little darker without her here. She brought sunshine to everyone she met. Her life revolved around her family. Like her love of flowers, she nurtured a garden in her heart for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Shirley was born at the Rolfe home in Northumberland on February 13
th
, 1931.
Shirley was a loving and compassionate sister, mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She especially enjoyed her bluebirds, Christmas with her family, country and western music and trips to Wells Beach in Maine. She reveled in sitting on her porch, gazing at her expansive views of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range, and sitting in her sun room.
She was the daughter of Vera and John Rolfe and step-father George LeTourneau of Groveton and made her life in Lunenburg for 62 years with her husband Norman and family.
She was educated in Groveton and graduated from Groveton High School. Shirley retired from Groveton Papers after 17 years, where she worked in the tissue converting department and was a favorite of her co-workers.
She is survived by Norman, daughter Peggy Smith and Peter Riviere of Lancaster, Randy Smith of St. Augustine, FL, Richard Smith and Lisa of Gilman VT and Connie Wilkinson and Elayne Eckles of Lunenburg, by sister Dorothy Tate of Whitefield, brother John Rolfe of Lancaster and sister Jackie Scott of Gilman and was predeceased by brother Robert Rolfe of Stark and great-grandson Logan.
She also leaves her beloved six grandchildren Caitlin Riviere of Charlottesville, VA, Scott Smith of St. Augustine, FL; Erin Smith, Northumberland; Kelsey Wilkinson, Lunenburg; Kierra Wilkinson, Lunenburg and Garrett Riviere, Chicago. IL, as well as her 5 great-grandchildren
Brady, Hayleigh, Kason, Jaelyn, and Bailey
.
There will be no visiting hours and a private memorial service will be scheduled in the future. She will be interred in Riverside Cemetery in South Lunenburg.
Memorial contributions can be made to Norris Cotton Cancer Center in St. Johnsbury, VT., the Gilman Senior Center Meals on Wheels program and the Caledonian Home Health, St. Johnsbury, Vt.