Avis E. Smith, 78, of Derry, NH, died Sunday June 5, 2011 in the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry. She was born in Somerville, MA on May 17, 1933, a daughter of the late James and Helena (Hamilton ) Owen. She had been a resident of Derry for the past 40 years, formerly living in Somerville, MA. Mrs. Smith loved to travel and crochet, but her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter.
She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Diane Webster of Auburn, NH; three sons, Ernest Smith, III of Manchester, NH, James Smith of Pittsfield, ME, and Wayne Smith of Fort Pierce, FL; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; two sisters, Dorothy Monroe and Violet Hutchins; one brother, Walter Owen; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest Smith, Jr. in 2002.
A calling hour was held on Wednesday June 8, 2011 from 12 to 1:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services followed at 1:00pm in the funeral home. The burial was in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater NH Chapter 1, Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 105, Bedford, NH 03110.