June 14, 2022
Emily T. Smith
ORANGE- Emily Thurlow Smith of Orange passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving children.
She was preceded in death by her loving & devoted husband Stuart M. "Bud" Smith.
She is survived by her six children, Stuart M. Smith Jr. and his wife Loraine of Petersham; Rodney T. Smith and his deceased wife Carol of Orange; Karen G. Dean and her husband Dave of S. Hadley; Kevin E. Smith and his fiancé Gay of Orange; Linda E. Olenick and her husband Steve of Hubbardston; Leanne J. Fontaine and partner Andy of Orange; 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. She was the last surviving sibling from a family of 8 children.
Emily was born on February 12, 1928 in Braintree, MA, she was the daughter of Earl & Edith (Sanderson) Thurlow.
In 1943 she met the love of her life, Stuart, at Dolly Copp campground in the White Mountains of N.H. where they camped, climbed and explored the presidential mtn. range. They were married on October 19, 1947 in New Gloucester, Maine. Several years later they relocated to Orange where they worked and raised their family together.
Emily was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, always putting her family first. Additionally, she was a professional bookkeeper for many years at the Athol Table Mfg.
She enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting and was an amazing seamstress, making most of her children’s clothing during their younger years. She was an avid skier & ski instructor, traveling the world pursuing her passion. For more than 20 years she took annual ski trips with her sister Marilyn to Alta, Utah.
She loved numerous outdoor activities including camping, boating, biking, water skiing and spending summer vacations with her family at Sebago Lake State park in Maine. She traveled with Stuart extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Emily and Stuart were long time members of the Community Church of North Orange & Tully, where they enjoyed volunteering including community suppers and the annual church fair. Emily could always be found assisting with her daughters at the fudge & candy table. She was a dedicated Dorcus member at the church assisting with pies, quilts and various knitted items for the fair.
Emily, a spitfire and lover of life, was the backbone of her family. She had remarkable strength that seemed to touch everyone who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will be held on July 16, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully, corner of Main Street and Creamery Hill Road, North Orange, with Charlotte Weltzin officiating.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
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