In the death of Mrs. Ann Maria (Joy) Smith, widow of Lyman Smith, Norwood loses one of the best known of all its old ladies, a woman, in fact, who kept so well in touch with the things of every tiny life that site hardly seemed an old woman, and a stranger would probably have taken her for a woman in the sixties rather than as one who had passed the milestone of three score and ten.
Connected through marriage with some of Norwood’s wealthiest and most prominent families, Mrs. Smith was throughout her life one of the plain people, a fine representative of the sturdy old New England stock, which, in wealth or poverty, does not greatly differ in its general characteristics.
Mrs. Smith had been about the house and apparently in much her usual health until about 9 o’clock last Monday evening. A sudden attack of illness proved fatal after about four and a half hours, and she expired at 1:30 o’clock Tuesday morning. To immediate relatives and friends this sudden calamity was less unexpected than to others.
Mrs. Smith, though seeming in fairly good mental and bodily health, had really failed a good deal since an illness of about five years ago, and throughout the winter signs of growing physical weakness had increased. Her mental faculties, with some lapses of memory, continued remarkably good to the last.
Mrs. Smith was born in Maine in 1823, and was consequently in her 70th year. She was married to the late Lyman Smith some fifty-two years ago, and was the stepmother of John E. and Charles L. Smith and Mrs. Lewis Day.
The eldest of her stepsons was but fifteen at the time and the children learned to look upon her as a mother.
n her earlier life in Norwood, before age forbade out of home duties, she was noted as a faithful nurse in sickness and an admirable neighbor.
Her unfailing kindness of heart, her goodness to others, no less than her frank, outspoken nature and her interest in the welfare of those with whom she came in contact, will long be remembered.
She was a good woman and a Lady Bountiful. She was a hater of shams and of gross iniquity. She will be long and pleasantly remembered by very many of our people.
Funeral services were held this (Friday) afternoon, conducted by Rev.W.B.Eddy.
The following testimonial is presented by one of her dear friends:—
This community has been called upon to mourn the sudden death of Mrs. Ann Maria Smith, wife of the late Lyman Smith, Esq. Mrs. Smith was born Aug. 27th, 1823, in Harrington, Maine, and she never lost her love for the Pine Tree state, its woods and hills and lakes, and she still has many friends in Maine who will feel they have lost a dear friend.
She came to Massachusetts and soon after married Mr. Smith, one of Norwood’s best-loved and most highly respected citizens.
Mrs. Smith was a woman of great ability. She had a keen sense of wit, was a friend of the oppressed and suffering, and her kind acts will long be remembered, and the memory of her generous heart will be cherished by many people who have had the good fortune of possessing her friendship.”
Her bright, original character, her entertaining conversation, her common sense views of life, and her nobility of character will now
become a golden heritage to her friends.
Emerson’s words, “Time is never lost that is devoted to work,” seems a suitable motto for her, because her hands were never idle when health and strength permitted her to work, and many have benefited by her unselfish nature.
Although she leaves no blood relation to mourn her loss, still there are many who will miss the friendly hand-clasp and the loving words, hut it is only the divine event to which the whole of God’s creation moves that has separated her from those who loved her.
” Our little systems have their day,
They have their day and cease to be;
They are but broken lights of Thee,
And Thou, O Lord, art more than they.”
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Advertiser)