Geneva Smith

Geneva T. (Petti) Smith, 99, lifetime Brocktonian, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at her home under the care of her family and hospice. She was the wife of the late Emmet L. Smith.
Born September 27, 1926, in Brockton, she was the daughter of the late Celestino Petti and Santina (Ferrara) Petti who immigrated from Santa Croce, Abruzzo, Italy around the turn of the century. Raised in Brockton with her 5 siblings, Geneva graduated from Brockton High School in 1945, the final year of World War II.
Ever pragmatic and reliable, Geneva was a bookkeeper at her family's grocery store, C.M. Petti in Brockton, which is still in operation and a landmark within the community. She and Emmet raised their family nearby, including her son, Lawrence E. Smith, and her daughter, the late Laurie A. Smith, who passed in 2007. As a family they enjoyed spending time in the neighborhood and beach trips to Fieldstone.
Geneva was the matriarch of the family and will be remembered for her vibrancy, elegance, open listening and sage advice, practical thinking, snarky humor, complete dependability, amazing cooking (especially the legendary pizza), and overall warmth and love to all. She is not a woman you easily forget. Geneva was a member of 20th Century Catholic Club, Member of Brockton Council on Aging, and Volunteer for L.I.F.E. Center for Handicapped.
Geneva enjoyed hosting holidays and parties, reorganizing closets, babysitting her grandkids and then going out dancing, laughing with friends, and having long, meaningful conversations with all in her world who needed them.
In addition to her son, Lawrence, she is survived by her grandchildren, Craig Smith and his wife Shannon; Allison Smith and her fiancé Zachary Felchner; Stephanie (Smith) Edwards and her husband, Sean; and Julianne Smith and her husband, Patrick Falahee. She had 4 great-grandchildren: Aine and Ailish Edwards and Sabina and Silas Falahee. Geneva was the mother-in-law of Stephen Smith and Karen Christopher. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn "Snookie" Petti. She was the sister of the late Michael Petti, James Petti, Rose Andrews, Amy Hustler, and Charles Petti. Finally, she is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply.
Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (rt123) Brockton on Wednesday, October 22nd from 1:00-3:00PM followed by a prayer service in the funeral home at 3:00PM. Private cremation to follow.