Obituary of Shirley Smith

MIDDLEBURY- On the morning of May 2, 2014, Shirley passed away from cancer in her Middlebury home surrounded by the love and comfort of family and friends. She was 85 years old. Shirley Janet Miller Smith was born in Waterbury on November 10, 1928. She was the youngest of five children, of the late Nellie Bailey and George Graham Miller. Shirley was a graduate of Crosby High School in Waterbury. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin, and later went on to Connecticut's Hartford Seminary where she earned a Master's in Christian Education. Shirley had been a resident of Middlebury since 1962. She was a parishioner of Middlebury Congregational Church and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved to garden, travel, and play set back with friends. She was devoted to her family and maintained many friendships since childhood, referred to as "The Cat's Paw Club." Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy Andrew Smith, Sr., her sisters, Estelle and her husband Irv Akins, May and her husband Franklin Wilson, and Grace Miller, and her nephew, Douglas. Shirley leaves behind a son; Roy Andrew Smith Jr. of Portland; three daughters, Marilyn and husband Mark Cotterell of Middletown, Melissa and husband Casey Sattler of Washington, DC, and Janet and husband Charles Ubaldi of Middlebury. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Miller of Watertown, and her grandchildren, Zoë, Anya, and Bailey; along with nieces and a nephew, Patricia, Beth, Nan, George, Julia, as well as many dear friends. Arrangements- A Memorial Service for Shirley will be held Saturday May 17, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Middlebury Congregational Church, 1242 Whittemore Rd. Middlebury, Connecticut, 06762, followed by a coffee reception at the church. A private burial service for family members will be at Riverside Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society,1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, 06708. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury, 9 Holmes Ave. 06710 is assisting in the arrangements.