Shirley B. Smith

Shirley Maureen (Blake) Smith, 90, of Northford, loving wife of the late Cyril (Smitty) K. Smith,

Jr. for 62 years, passed away February 16, 2017 at her home, surrounded by close family and

friends.

Shirley was born in East Haven on October 12, 1926, daughter of the late John W. and

Elizabeth Blake. She graduated from West Haven High School in 1943, and worked as a

secretary for the New Haven Railroad until her marriage to Smitty on October 21, 1950.

Shirley loved painting and gardening. She kept a beautiful flower garden at the cottage she and

Smitty kept in Vermont, where there was plenty of room and sunshine. In Northford, she and

Smitty shared a large vegetable garden with their neighbors, Bud and Lenore Thistle. Winter

and summer, Shirley liked to paint landscapes and still lifes. Much of her work went on the walls

of the unique home that Smitty designed and built for her in the mid-century modern style, using

the skills he learned as an engineer and architect.

Shirley loved the ocean, and spent many summers in her youth rowing herself and her friends

around Long Island Sound. She and Smitty also enjoyed travelling to Vermont, Florida,

California, the southwest and northwest parts of the United States, and Ireland. But Shirley’s

life was truly centered around her family, which always came first. Holidays were were always

celebrated at her home in Northford, where everyone gathered to feast and be together.

Shirley Smith is survived by her three loving daughters, Pamela B. Smith (Larry Rapoport), Lisa

Alexandra Brown, and Kimberley Ellen O’Connor (Patrick). She loved, and was especially

proud of her six grandchildren, Caitlin (Jeremiah), Cameron, Elizabeth, Jack, Kylie and Sean.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law, James C. Brown. Shirley is also survived by many

beloved nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday, March 4 at St. Augustine’s

Catholic Church, North Branford. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Family and friends

are invited to call at the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Road, (Rte 22 So. at Rte 80),

North Branford, from 5-8pm on Friday March 3rd. Those wishing to send condolences on-line

may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

Animal Haven, 89 Mill Road, North Haven, CT.

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