JULIA ALICE SMITH

ORONO – Julia Alice Smith, 90, died March 25, 2009, at an Orono health care facility. She was born Jan. 1, 1919, in South Parsonsfield, the oldest daughter of Raymond “Ven” and Edith (Haines) Smith. During the depression she was a part of a family orchestra and entertaining group, “The Singing Smiths,” who provided country music for dances and entertained throughout southern Maine, and at the University of Maine and Eastern States Exposition. The income helped supplement her mother’s teaching income and the family farm income. She attended one-room schools in Parsonsfield, plus two years in Limerick schools. She graduated valedictorian from Parsonsfield Seminary in 1937, the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1941, Willimantic State College, Connecticut, with a Master of Education, plus extra graduate studies in Connecticut. At the University of Maine, she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, Omicron Nu-National Home Economics Honor Society, MCA, the University of Maine 4-H Club as the first woman president, and the University Chorus. She taught home economics in Buckfield, first grade for 16 years in East Hampton, Conn., directed preschool at St. Stephens Church, East Haddam, Conn., and was on the board of directors and substitute teacher at the Orono Pre-School at Orono United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school for more than 25 years and was a 4-H leader in Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, including several great years in a black American community. She married her classmate, Charles B. Smith Jr., April 10, 1942, in Abilene, Texas, where he was stationed with the reactivated 90th Division at Camp Barkeley. In Abilene, Texas, Alice taught Red Cross courses in canteen and nutrition, and was a supervisor in the Red Cross production programs. In Hermon she was a charter member of the PTO, Associate Cub Scout Den Mother and supervised the school lunch program in the then new elementary school. Retiring to Orono in 1978, she and her husband did part-time farming on Main Street for more than 10 years. She served several terms on Orono Library Board of Trustees, was a member of Friends of the Library and a director emeritus of the Orono Library Foundation. She and her husband were longtime co-chairs of Orono Historical Society and shared a seat on the board of directors of the Page Farm and Home Museum, one of their major interests. She and Charlie were also active in promoting the Orono Land Trust and Edith Patch House. Alice also served a few years as a volunteer and director at large at Treats Falls House. She and her family enjoyed camping in New England and the Provinces, plus the annual visits to Pushaw Lake, where all six children have property. Alice and her husband enjoyed their home on outer Forest Avenue, where they hosted many groups such as Daughters of the American Revolution, Phi Mu and Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni and college chapter, Greater Pushaw Lake Association, Women of the World Branches and a number of international grad students. Alice’s last years of retirement were made comfortable at Dirigo Pines Inn by staff and the incredible love and support of her children, community and extended family. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Charles B. Smith Jr. of Orono; six children, Dianne Blackmer of Jefferson, Iowa, Peter Smith and his wife, Kathy, of East Hampton, Conn., Leigh Smith and Gretchen Luxenberg of Seattle, Dana Smith and his wife, Jan Kristo, of Orono, Louise Smith and Carmen DiBuono of Orrington and Brian Smith and his wife, Susan, of Bangor; one brother, Arnold H. Smith and his wife, Luella, of Parsonsfield; sister-in-law, Nancy Smith of Parsonsfield; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. A service of remembrance will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono, with the Rev. Alden Johnson officiating. Friends may call 1 p.m. until the time of service Sunday. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the service at Stillwater Federated Church, Bennoch Road, Stillwater. If you would like to remember Alice in a special way, gifts in her memory may be sent to Orono Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 308, Orono, ME 04473 or Page Farm and Home Museum, care of University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.