Obituary of Elaine A. Smith

Elaine A. Smith, age 91, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 28, 2015 at the Chestelm Health Care Center in Moodus. Elaine was the beloved wife of the late Philip J. Smith who pre-deceased her on August 7, 1997. She was born in New Haven on October 16, 1923 the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Maguire) Allison. Elaine had been a resident of East Haddam since the late 1980's and grew up in West Haven. She was a graduate of the New Haven Teachers College in 1946. She first taught elementary school in Chester for 5 years and had a 27 year teaching career as an elementary school teacher in Deep River. She continued as a substitute teacher for seven years in Deep River following her retirement. She was an avid bowler. She is survived by her children, Robert R. (Rob) Smith, of East Haddam and Laurie J. Smith and her husband, Jonathan Wilder of Old Lyme, her grandchildren, Jared D. Smith and his wife Ashley, and Kara Lynn Smith and her fiancee Brian Kantor, her great-grandchildren, Greyson Blaise Smith and Kinleigh Shae Smith. Besides her husband she was pre-deceased by her son, Philip Jonathan (PJ) Smith, her sister, Jean Bergvik, and brothers, Donald T. and Robert Allison. The family would like to thank the staff at Chestelm for all of the loving care given to their mother. Visitation will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook on Friday, May 1st from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 11:00AM at The United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street in Chester. Private burial will be held in the First Church Cemetery in East Haddam. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The East Haddam Land Trust, P.O. Box 122 East Haddam, CT 06423. To share a memory of Elaine or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com .