Kathryn Smith

DURHAM — Kathryn (Carson) Smith, 90, of Durham, died Tuesday, Dec., 30, 2008, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover after a brief illness. She was born April 7, 1918, in East Brooksville, Maine, the daughter of John and Anna Mae (Brown) Carson, both of Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her son, Edson T. Smith of Durham; a sister, Anna Mae Wescott of Brunswick, Maine; a grandson, Carson T. Smith, and wife Amy A. Howell of Portsmouth; a granddaughter, Eliza M. Smith of Charlestown, Mass.; a great-granddaughter, Kathryn A. Smith of Portsmouth; and extended family in Northern Ireland.

Burial and memorial service will be held in the spring in East Otisfield, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Smith's memory may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043. For information, visit www.bibberfuneral.com.

WE REMEMBER: She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1936 and attended Colby College. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1969.

She married the Rev. H. Travers Smith, a Methodist minister, on Sept. 1, 1940, and often served as organist during his 45 years in the ministry. The Rev. and Mrs. Smith lived for many years on "Saturday Farm" in Otisfield, Maine. After the Rev. Smith died in 1994, Mrs. Smith lived with her son in Durham.

She was a frequent substitute teacher and literacy volunteer in schools throughout Maine and New Hampshire. She was also an accomplished piano player, a genealogist and an author as well.

A social and political activist, Mrs. Smith was a member of United Methodist Women and was the president of the Portland, Maine chapter of the League of Women Voters. She read four newspapers a day until very late in her life and was an avid student of politics and American history.

As the Irish saying goes, for those who knew her, "she was of good age." She was an author, a poet and a historian. She could recall historical moments as if they were yesterday. She understood current events and trends well enough so that she could make discerning opinions on politics, whether local, national or international. She was a "good" woman. Those who knew her say they were blessed to have her in their lives.