Marguerite Frances (Grady) Smith, a long-time resident of Norwich and Westerly, died peacefully on Friday evening, January 14, 2011 in Westerly. She was 92.
She was predeceased by her husband, Stanley R. Smith, her daughter, Patricia Ann (Smith) Hyde, and her sister Marie Rose (Grady) Goff. Surviving Marguerite are her son Richard and wife Diane of Westerly; son-in-law Howard Hyde and wife Wendy of Westerly; grandchildren Lorey Leddy and husband Jim of South Salem, NY and Michael Rives and wife Michi of Amherst, NH; nephew Henry Goff and wife Laura and family of Edwardsville, IL; and five great-grandchildren who delighted her in later years – Thomas and Jack Rives and Madeleine, Michael and Eliza Leddy.
Marguerite was a dedicated homemaker who hosted family gatherings for over 50 years, managed a business career with time out for raising a family, volunteered at her church, and lived independently in her own home until age 90.
She was born in Upton, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Maria and Thomas Grady. She attended St. Mary’s elementary school in Norwich and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1936. Marguerite and Stan were married at St. Mary’s church in Norwich on May 11, 1940 and celebrated 45 years of marriage before he passed away in 1985. While both pursued careers at the Southern New England Telephone Company, they made family homes in several Connecticut towns after Norwich, including Old Saybrook, Shelton, Norwalk and Madison, before making Westerly their permanent home in 1980.
Marguerite retired from the phone company in 1979, on the same day as her husband, after twenty-two years of service. They had built a summer residence in Weekapaug in 1949 and it was her and Stan’s greatest enjoyment to bring together extended family and friends every summer, as well as weekends and holidays throughout the years, before and after their retirement. Summer barbeques, golf, fishing and backyard whiffle ball tournaments, and Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at their beach house were generously hosted every year.
Marguerite was a devoted member of St. Pius X Church parish. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 9:30a.m. in St. Pius X Church, Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home to the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Norwich. Calling hours are respectfully omitted at Marguerite’s request.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marguerite’s memory may be made to St. Pius X Church at 44 Elm Street or the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation at 366 Post Road, both in Westerly, RI 02891. The family expresses their grateful appreciation to the aides and nursing staff of Apple Rehab Watch Hill and Odyssey HealthCare for their extraordinary care during the past two years.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Marguerite G. Smith (Grady), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.