Irene LaRue Simons Smith

April 2, 1912 - March 5, 2015

Irene LaRue Simons Smith, 102, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the assisted living facility, the Sarah Jane Sanford Home for Women in Amsterdam, New York, where she had resided since 2012 after moving from her St. Johnsville home where she had lived for nearly 60 years. Irene was born April 2, 1912, in Mexico, Oswego County, N.Y., the daughter of Ross L. and Mabel Virgil Simons. On July 19, 1934, she married Lewis R. Smith of Northville, N.Y. at her parents’ home in Syracuse, N.Y. The ceremony was performed by her uncle, Methodist Bishop Wallace E. Brown. Irene was a graduate of Syracuse University where she was a member and president of Kappa Delta National Sorority and a member of the National Panhellenic Association. She was a teacher of French and English, first in the Northville Central School and later in the Canajoharie Central School. At one time she also served as librarian in the St. Johnsville Central School System. She was interested in genealogy and many crafts. She did oil painting, sketching, knitting, and sewing. She also enjoyed summers with family at their camp, Birchwood, near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Irene was an active member of St. John’s Reformed Church where she served as Deacon and Elder, the N. Y. State and Montgomery County Retired Teachers’ Association, Herkimer County Historical Society, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, St. Johnsville Business Girls, and the St. Johnsville Chapter of the NSDAR. She was also on the Board of Directors of SAVAC. Irene is survived by sons Douglas V. Smith and wife Nina Swaim of Sharon, Vermont; Richard E. Smith and wife Carol of Lowville; Robert L. Smith and wife Beth of Northville; daughter Cynthia Huntley and husband Raymond of New Hartford; grandchildren Randall, Brent, Kory, Keely Smith, Kirsten Elin, and great-grandchildren Ezekiel and Jett Elin, Colten, Cassidy, Tess, Tate, Taci, and Trey Smith. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Simons Mercer, of Baldwinsville. She was predeceased by her husband, Lewis, sister-in-law, Celia Smith, and her grandson, Bjorn Smith. The family appreciates the fine care and companionship that Irene received from the staff at the Sarah Jane Sanford Home. A private memorial service and burial will be in Northville.