Elsie J. Smith

HARWICH PORT — Elsie J. (Church) Smith, 91, died Tuesday at Cape Cod Hospital, following a short illness.

She was the wife of the late Clement F. Smith, who died in 1988.

Elsie was born, raised and educated in Braintree. She graduated from Braintree High School and from Bridgewater State Teachers College. She spent her entire career teaching third grade in the Braintree school system until retiring in 1978.

She married on June 26, 1943, and settled in Braintree.

As a little girl, she summered in Harwich at her parent's cottages and purchased her retirement home with her husband in 1964. They moved here full time in 1981.

She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the Harwich Garden Club, and the Harwich Women's Club. She also was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

She loved the ocean, was an avid gardener and birder, and was a prolific reader. She most enjoyed her time, and took great interest in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and they affectionately called her "Nana."

She is survived by a son, Clement F. Jr. of Harwich; two daughters, Jane C. Gagnon of San Dimas, Calif., and Francine M. Allanbrook of South Yarmouth; a sister, Rita W. Church of South Yarmouth; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her son, Sidney Smith, in 1976.

The funeral will begin Monday, at 9 a.m., from the Coutinho-Boisse Funeral Home, followed by a Mass, at 10, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Route 28, West Harwich. Burial will follow at Island Pond Cemetery. Visiting hours are Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

Donations are suggested to either the Harwich Rescue Squad or the VNA Hospice.

For more information, directions, guest book, or to light a candle, log on to www.cbfuneralhome.com.