BANGOR – Gertrude M. Smith went to be with the Lord, March 17, 2009, at a local health care facility. Gertrude was born on Valentine’s Day 1924, in Haynesville. She was the daughter of Fred and Fern Malone and one of 12 children. She often talked of growing up on the farm in Haynesville carrying water from the well and taking care of the animals. Gertrude graduated high school in Bangor. She met Earl Smith and they married Aug. 8, 1942, and were married for more than 50 years. They raised three sons, which Gertrude, though small in stature, was able to keep in line to the day she died. Her love of God and her family were the most important parts of her life. She was a longtime member of Church of the Open Door, Hampden, where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She will always be remembered for her loving heart and sense of humor. She loved her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally. Gertrude was predeceased by her husband, Earl, in 1994. Surviving are her sons, Gary and Josephine Smith of Camden, S.C., Dana and Robin Smith of Hampden, and Brian Smith and Kathy Wing of Hermon; grandchildren, Jonathan Smith and his wife, Amanda, Melissa Smith and her children, Mike, Kirstin and Nichole, Lori Cropley and her children, Sam, Alex, Misty, Steven and Jeremy, Heidi Ashton and her son, Brock, and Christina Vicnair and her sons, Jonathan and Robbie; and a special nephew, Dale Malone of Gorham. A memorial service and interment will be held in the summer. The family asks that instead of flowers, folks consider a gift in her memory to Manna Ministries, 629 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.
GERTRUDE M. SMITH
