PRESQUE ISLE – Alta Jeanne (Clarke) Delano Smith, 83, our mother, Mama Lano, Grammie, Mimi, and hero, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, with her family by her side at a Bangor health care facility. She was born June 19, 1923, in Fort Fairfield, to Roy and Belle Clarke. She was first married to Linwood “Red” Delano, with whom she shared businesses on Presque Isle’s historic Hall Street. After Red became supervisor at Aroostook State Park, she worked with him overseeing the development of that Northern Maine “Eden,” giving their children wonderful opportunities for recreation and growth. Widowed in 1959, she continued to raise their four children and a special nephew by hard work and faith, never wavering and making sure they received nurturing, education, values and a respect for hard work. After her children were grown, she married M. Stetson Smith, with whom she shared her life until his death in 1991. Alta had a successful career in food management and was renowned for her work ethic and high standards. She worked for several area restaurants and managed the food services at the University of Maine campuses in Presque Isle and Fort Kent. A wonderful cook, she was known for homemade specialties of oatmeal bread, lasagna and potato candy. She earned formal certification as an executive chef in Philadelphia. Always willing to take a challenge, she accepted summer positions at Maine’s historic Camp Natarswi and the University of Maine’s Forestry Camp at Greenland Cove, Princeton. After her retirement, she and Stet spent wonderful time together divided between Presque Isle and their home in Steuben, sharing both places with precious family and friends. A 50-year member of Eastern Star, Lunar Chapter 23, she served as a past Worthy Matron and was co-founder of the Rainbow for Girls chapter in Presque Isle. She was also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Business and Professional Women’s group. Alta sheltered many over her lifetime, people and animals. Just as she cared for so many, she received wonderful care and support from scores of caregivers later in her life. They became part of her family and helped us guide her through the final stages of her life’s journey with love, humor, patience and compassion. They will always be in our prayers. The family thanks all who blessed us with caring for her. She loved her God, her family, Aroostook County, the Boston Celtics, and all creatures, great and small. She especially loved animals and the lucky ones who wandered into her path or were left on her doorstep, received the tender-ness of a mother. An avid life-long gardener, she always had fresh flowers in her homes. Optimism was her credo and she would never accept the negative. She had a way of making each person she met feel special. She is survived by her chil-dren, Roxanna Adams and husband, Raymond, of Orring-ton, Ralph Delano and wife, Christina, of North Conway, N.H., Rhonda Delano of Presque Isle, Rosemary De-lano-Merritt and husband, David Merritt, of Eddington; grandchildren, Kelli Theriault Hutchins and husband, Charles, of Bangor, Paige Theriault Ross and husband, Danny and their daughter, Madison, of Bangor, Eban Delano of North Conway, N.H., Joshua Delano of Dover, N.H., Andrew Delano of Lawrence, Mass., Honey Delano and her children, Olivia and Owen, of Presque Isle; sisters, Leona “Tick” Allen of Mapleton and Bette Bartlett of Talking Rock, Ga.; brothers, Chandler Clarke of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Roger Clarke of Chicopee, Mass.; a very special nephew, Stephen “Steve” Strauss of New Orleans; many loved nieces, nephews and friends all over the world. Alta was predeceased by sisters, Vivian Smith, Viva Perry and Verlie Deane; and husbands, Linwood “Red” Delano and M. Stetson Smith. This is just “so long,” Mom, not good-bye. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Church Street, Presque Isle, with the Rev. Robert Smith officiating. Friends may visit with the family 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. A reception to celebrate Alta’s life will be held immediately after the service at the Masonic Hall, State Street, Presque Isle.
ALTA (CLARKE) DELANO SMITH
