JOAN MARY SMITH

BANGOR – Joan Mary Smith, daughter of William J. Hawkes and Nora C. Caron, born in Bangor on July 1, 1930, entered peacefully into eternal life 2:10 a.m. Dec. 29, 2005, after a relatively short battle with cancer. Beloved wife of John “Smitty” Smith for the past 55 years, Joan is survived by her spouse and three children, Timmy and Vicki Smith of Troy, Sharon and Al Belanger of Glenburn and Gary Smith currently of Chicago, Ill.; as well as by her niece, Gloria Stevens of Orono; and by her sole surviving brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Barbara Russell of Levant. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Alec Currier of Bangor. Joan will be sorely missed as well by her five grandchildren, Tonia and Todd Berlucchi, Darrell Thurston, Sean and Chris Smith; and her four great-granddaughters, Jayda, Taylor, Brooke and Ava. Joan attended John Bapst High School and worked at a number of Jobs before “taking root” at the telephone company, where she worked for 28 years. She was loved by all who knew her, especially her co-workers, whom she kept supplied with candy at the work site. It is said by those who knew her well that she never spoke ill of anyone (except the person who took the last chocolate in the box!). She loved to play cards, especially Poker, at which she excelled due to the fact that she never revealed by any change of expression, what cards she held in her hand – to the great frustration of her fellow players! Joan was a great wife and mother who spent her entire life serving her family. Indeed, her family was her life! She was a great cook. She loved to garden, assisted by her daughter-in-law, Vicki. Her cat, Tippy received nothing but royal treatment from his devoted caregiver. She was very generous, easy to please and appreciative of small favors. Among her oldest and dearest friends, Joan includes, Nina Leeman and Bobbie Bulduc. She also cherished a more recent friendship with Eileen Ward, her spiritual advisor. A private memorial service for Joan will be held Saturday, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau, Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather to partake of refreshments and conversation 4:30 p.m. at the Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Those who wish to remember Joan in a special way, may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 103 Texas Ave., Bangor ME 04401, where Joan received excellent care during the last days of her life and where her devoted and caring children, who kept vigil for days at her bedside, were made to feel warmly welcomed. She will missed, she is at peace, she is with God.