Irene Smith

Irene Smith née Ward died peacefully Sunday morning, November 19th, 2023, at age 97. Irene brought love and compassion to each community she lived from her birthplace in Lancashire, England to Ottawa, Canada to Nashua, NH, and finally to Durham, NH where she resided for the past five years.

The mother to four children, Cathy, Julie, Michael, and Shelley and married to Geoffrey Smith until his death in 1995, Irene remained a loving spouse, matriarch, and friend to people of all ages and backgrounds – always remaining curious about their interests, their families, and their lives. She was a steadfast companion playing golf and Bridge at the Nashua Country Club where she remained a member since 1964.

Irene was born in a small English village to Anne and Fred Ward with two brothers, Fred, and Jack. She left school at age 16 volunteering during WWII in Manchester and London relieving women working the docks so to alert seamen about enemy ships. She danced the Charleston and survived the Nazi blitzkrieg – never looking back but never forgetting either. That experience likely shaped her “live and let live” attitude that she maintained for the rest of her life.

After the war, and married to Geoff, they emigrated to Ottawa where their first daughter, Cathy, was born. They then moved to New Hampshire where their second child, Julie, was born followed soon by Michael, and Shelley. The family made Nashua their home for the next sixty years. There Irene settled into a comfortable lifestyle including extended trips back to England, raising their children, and fostering deep lifelong friendships. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoyed volunteering as a driver for patients who needed transportation to medical appointments.

Irene is survived by Julie Smith of Portland ME, Michael Smith and Jean Sullivan of Stratham, NH, and Shelley Smith and Robert Zakin of Washington DC. Cathy Smith passed in 2015, her husband Carl Detwyler and daughter Ella survive her in Jackson, WY. In addition, Irene leaves six more grandchildren, as well as four nieces and seven nephews in England where her ashes will rest in Rydal, alongside her husband and daughter.