Sydney Wilson-Smith

1933 - 2025

Sydney Wilson-Smith

Keene, NH - Following a series of strokes, Keene resident Sydney Wilson-Smith passed away peacefully on July 28, 2025. Sydney was born on July 28, 1933 (yes, she died on her birthday) in Fitchburg, Mass., to parents Ruth (Chickering) of Walpole, N.H., and Blair Baldwin of Lunenburg, Mass. The family moved to the Westmoreland/Walpole area where they remained for many years. Sydney attended local schools, including the one room schoolhouse in Westmoreland in the early 40's. In 1947 Sydney entered Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, Mass., graduating in 1951. She then joined the Women's Army Corps, training at Fort Dix, N.J., serving at Fort Eustis and Lee in Virginia-discharged in 1953.

In the fall of 1953 Sydney married Robert Wilson of Ashby, Mass., where they lived for several years with their 3 sons, Randall, David and Richard (Tim) Wilson. The family later moved to Bank Village in New Ipswich, N.H. where the older boys graduated from Mascenic Regional High School. In 1973 as a then single mother, Sydney relocated with Tim to Antrim, N.H. where she gained employment with the Head Start program in Hillsboro. During the six years with Head Start, through the GI Bill, Syd completed a degree in Social Work from UNH. In 1979 Syd joined the State of N.H., D.C.Y.F., Keene District Office, retiring in 1996.

Syd remained active in her community, as a founder of the now Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center which continues to provide critical support to families in the area. Syd was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist church in Peterborough and served on the board of the Rowe Camp and Conference Center in the Berkshires. Syd lived life on her own terms, a world traveler, reverent of nature, a spiritual warrior, fierce advocate of social justice, yet always centered on her agrarian roots.

Syd is survived by her 3 sons, as well as grandchildren Colin, Alex & Robin Wilson of Sonoma, CA, Kris Parisi (Wilson) of Bennington, Ben Wilson of CA, Levi & Bella Wilson of Warner, NH and Geneva Niskala of Florida, as well as great grandchildren. The family would like to honor the memory of her predeceased grandchildren, Daniel, Beau and Kayla Marie.

The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to HCS Home Hospice Services for their indispensable help in keeping Sydney comfortable during her last days.

Funeral services will be private. Anyone wishing to make a donation in her name, please remit to: The Grapevine PO Box 637 Antrim, NH. 03440, or online at www.grapevinenh.org/give/