Ellie Smith, 96 of Westport passed away October 29th 2026 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Born in Port Washington, New York, she was the daughter of the late Evan Williams from Ffestiniog, Wales and the late Helen McKay of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ellie spent her early years in Greenwich, CT. She was the daughter of a chauffeur who worked for the Guggenheim estate and later the Mathes estate, where they were treated like family. As a child she had her only brush with the law while riding in the back seat of her parent’s car. Her blonde curls had her mistaken for the missing Lindbergh baby. Once the matter was cleared up, her famous story followed her for her lifetime.
Ellie graduated from Greenwich High School and attended Dean University where she was the Salutatorian of her class. After meeting her former husband Robert L. Smith she moved to Westport Point, MA before settling into a new home they built in town. While raising her 4 children Ellie worked as an Interior Decorator with Ruth Atkinson, at Maryanne McDonald Real Estate and a few specialty boutiques In Padanaram for many years before taking on her role as the assistant manager at the Village Store which later became Partners Village Store in Westport. She retired at 84 years old. Ellie loved decorating and keeping an immaculate home by the vines of the Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery where she was fortunate to live and enjoy the view until the day before her passing. When not working she enjoyed reading, acquiring the finer things, doing anything she could for her 4 kids always putting them before herself, flowers, being by the ocean, cleaning, organizing and traveling to her favorite places around New England. She loved going to Vermont, Greenwich, CT, Nantucket and most of all to York, ME. She began visiting York from her early childhood with her parents at the Mathes summer home known as ‘The Moorings’ right up until last fall. She often called York “my Maine” and was a bit possessive of her favorite spot. She enjoyed Neal Diamond concerts, live shows including productions on Broadway and anything to do with figure skating.
Ellie leaves behind her sons John and Bruce, both of Westport and a daughter Robin and her husband Garren Poirier of Killington, VT and Scottsdale, AZ, several cousins, her 2 cats and many friends and special acquaintances she acquired along the way.
Along with her parents, Ellie was predeceased by her son Robert G. Smith, daughter in law K. Claire Smith, former husband Robert L. Smith and several cats she adored. She will be missed by many.
The family would like to thank Gabby Dasilva, Jennifer Medeiros, Betsy Frazier, Aida Lopes, Eveline Mendes and several other home health aids from Attentive Home Care in Marion, MA for excellent care, including Tereza Tomar and others from the office who assisted with coordinating. Also, Andrea and staff at the Westport Council on Aging and Kim Jerome, Jessica Pacheco for their interim help and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford VT. www.rchsvt.org or the Westport Historical Society.
A luncheon for family and friends will be planned and announced at a later date.