Gertrude Smith

Gertrude Smith (97) passed away peacefully, at Allied Skilled Nursing Center under the care of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 with her daughter by her side. The youngest daughter of the late Joseph E Laporte and Leda (Lusignan) Laporte, she was born and raised in New Hampshire, and graduated from high school in 1938. In 1941, Gertrude married the love of her life, Irving Smith, after meeting him at a dance in Vermont. Together they raised 2 daughters, Charlotte and Priscilla.

In 1993 Gertrude and Irving moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to their daughter and family as Irving's health began to fade. Gertrude and Irving enjoyed 56 years of married life until his death in 1997. A voracious reader and accomplished homemaker, Gertrude enjoyed cooking/baking, sewing, embroidery and quilting as well as tole painting. Above all else, she enjoyed raising her daughters and caring for her husband and family, including spending time with her only grandchild, Elizabeth. She spent countless hours teaching Elizabeth many of her artistic and culinary skills, most importantly, how to bake the perfect berry pie.

Gertrude was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America as well as the Companions of the Forest of America. She and Irving loved exploring the United States and completed two cross country road trips during their retirement years. Gertrude and Irving also enjoyed playing cards and games with their extended family and friends. Gertrude was very proud of her daughters, granddaughter and great granddaughters and loved hearing about their busy lives and adventures.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her in-laws, Roy and Bess Smith, her sister Edna Buskey and husband Norman, her sister Rachel Hoff and husband George, her sister-in-law Arlene Hamel and husband Cyril, her sister-in-law Eleanor Chase and husband Robert. Gertrude is survived by her daughter Charlotte Beasley and husband Elton of Arizona, her daughter Priscilla Pancoast of Clarks Summit, her granddaughter, Elizabeth Pancoast Lanoue and husband Christopher and great granddaughters, Addison Lanoue (13) and Samara Lanoue (9) of Maine as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Please consider a donation to a local food bank or soup kitchen of your choice as a remembrance of Gertrude, as she was always caring for and concerned about others. There are no local services; burial will be in New Hampshire in the spring. Local arrangements entrusted to Lawrence E Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clarks Summit.  To leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.