TOPPING, Va. – Patricia Anne Smith, 76, of Topping, Va., Director Emerita of Camp Wawenock in Raymond, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Close friends and caregivers were by her side. We extend our deepest gratitude for the compassionate and professional care given by Pat’s team of supporters and caregivers over the last few years.

Pat was born and grew up in Virginia, graduated from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, and did her graduate work at Boston University. She was a member of Harmony Grove Baptist Church in Topping, Va.

Early in her career, Pat taught physical education and coached girls’ and women’s sports at the high school and collegiate levels. For over ten years, she coached the women’s tennis and lacrosse teams at Bates College at the beginning of the Title IX era. She was a woman who paved the way for many others in so many ways.

Pat was introduced to Camp Wawenock in Raymond, Maine, by professors and students at Westhampton College, whose many connections to Wawenock began as early as 1916. Pat was hired by Sydney and Lillian Ussher in 1968. She joined June Gray as a full-time Director of Camp Wawenock in 1997 and celebrated her 50 years of service and connection to Wawenock in August 2018.

In addition to Pat’s dedication to Camp Wawenock, she was an active member of her professional and local communities. She was, for many years, President of the Raymond Recreation Association, a not-for-profit organization for local community residents that focuses on their involvement in sports and outdoor pursuits. She was an American Camp Association (ACA) Certified Camp Director, and her lifetime commitment to quality camp experiences included planning trainings for the Maine Youth Camp Foundation (MYCF) and the ACA-New England Section Conference. She was a trainer for Red Cross Water Safety, Lifeguard Instructor, ACA Standards Visitor, member of ACA-New England Section Standards Committee, and MYCF Membership Chair for over a decade. In 2003, camp director colleagues recognized Pat with the prestigious Halsey Gulick Award for service to camping in Maine.

Pat is survived by her nieces and nephew, Leslie Batten, Mary Virginia Smith, Gabe Smith and their children; a cousin, Rick Smith; her loving Camp Wawenock family members, and her devoted and loving caregivers.

A service in celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Camp Wawenock in Raymond on Aug. 19, 2023.

Donations to honor Pat’s life of service at Camp Wawenock may be sent to the American Camp Association – Camp Wawenock Scholarship Fund and mailed to:

Camp Wawenock,

33 Wawenock Rd.,

Raymond, Maine 04071.

Donations may also be made in Pat’s name to Children’s Programming in Raymond Recreation and mailed to:

Raymond Town Office,

401 Webbs Mills Rd.,

Raymond, Maine 04071.