She was born on May 25, 1925 in The Bronx, New York. After childhood and schooling, Gene met and married Myron Abbott Smith (Mike) in September 1949. Gene and Mike started married life in Long Island, New York, but in 1952 they moved to Arlington Virginia.
After Mike passed away in 1967, Gene started working to support herself and her two daughters. Gene worked for many years as Head Teller at First Virginia Bank in Arlington, Virginia.
Gene retired from the bank in 1987 and moved to Shapleigh, Maine to live near, and spend time with her daughter, Jane Scott and her son-in-law, James Scott Jr. and two of her three grandchildren, Elizabeth and James Scott III.
Gene was always cheerful and independent and because of her lifelong love of books and reading she got a job in the Shapleigh Town Library and in 1994, Gene was promoted to head librarian. Gene worked enthusiastically to spread the joy of reading. She started a knitting group that met for craft and fellowship until her retirement in August 2013 at age 88.
Gene was an active member of St. George’s Episcopal church in Sanford, Maine. She enjoyed many hours as a member of the choir and volunteered her time at the Bean Suppers the church sponsored.
In 2013, Gene moved to Kansas City, Missouri to spend time with her other daughter, Donna Mattingly and her third grandchild, Ian and her great granddaughter, Caitlin. Gene was able to devote more time to another of her passions, knitting baby blankets for babies in need. She donated her time and energy sending her snuggly blankets to Mercy Hospital in Portland Maine, and then to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
Gene was a breast cancer survivor and took every opportunity to encourage and support other victims of Breast Cancer.
Gene was always a spirited, cheerful, independent lady who liked to get out into the community. She loved her family and friends, books, knitting and animals. Gene was a 30-year supporter of the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine.
The family is planning a Celebration of Gene’s life on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal church in Sanford Maine. We hope that all who remember her can join us.
In lieu of flowers, Gene has requested that donations be made in her name to Animal Welfare Society
P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, Me. 04094.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less