DALTON - Vera F. Smith, age 97 of Dalton passed away peacefully on the morning of November 15 2014 at Country Village Center in Lancaster.
Vera was born on March 28, 1917 in St. Louis Missouri, the daughter of Charles A. Flynn and Lillian Rice Flynn. The family moved to New York City, NY where she attended public schools. She was a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City and had a long career in teaching, retiring from the City of New York system.
Vera married Edgar C. Smith of Dalton, NH on September 29, 1945 and together they enjoyed travel, by station wagon in the early years, then by private plane and later by RV. They loved the outdoors. Edgar predeceased her on July 27, 1990.
Vera was by all definitions a "lady". She had a ready smile, was gracious, vibrant, and always found the positive in everything. She enjoyed people, never being judgmental, and liking to help where she could. Travel remained a passion, with her last family camping trip when she was 91 years old, and arm chair travel after that. She felt that she had lived a rich, fulfilling and adventuresome life. She was a member of the Dalton Congregational Church, where her great-grandfather, Thaddeus Metcalf Jr. was a deacon in July 1866. Vera was a member of the Dalton Historical Society, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Connecticut River Watershed Council. Vera was an active volunteer at the Gilman (VT) Senior Center over many years and a devoted supporter of the Weathervane Theater. She supported the JROTC at the White Mountains Regional High School and had provided scholarships to worthy members of the nursing program at the White Mountains Community College in Berlin NH. Vera served as supervisor of the Dalton Checklist for many years.
Surviving are her daughter Nancy L. Smith and husband Wayne A. Smith of Dalton, grandson Bryant W. Smith and his daughters Macee and Piper of Dalton. Vera was predeceased by an older sister Kathleen B. Lynch.
Memorial service arrangements and care have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home Lancaster NH. Viewing hours are on Tuesday November 18, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The Memorial Service will be on Saturday November 22, 2014, at 4:00 PM at the Dalton Congregational Church. Rev. Diane Raymond, pastor, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make donations in her memory to Dalton Congregational Church or the Gilman Senior Center.