Libby Smith

Libby Smith (née Gross), formerly of Waterford

Libby Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away on 17 March 2026.

Libby was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She pursued her education at Boston University and Providence College, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching.

On December 26, 1964, she married the love of her life, Richard "Richie" Smith, who predeceased her. Together they built a life grounded in love, partnership, and family.

Libby enjoyed a long and distinguished career in education, culminating with teaching in the Montville School System. She was a passionate and dedicated teacher, remembered especially for her work in Holocaust studies, an area in which she held deep personal commitment and for which she received special recognition for her efforts. Through her teaching, she instilled empathy, awareness, and understanding in generations of students.

She was also a devoted member of Beth El Synagogue in New London, where her sense of community was central to her life.

In retirement, Libby and Richie split their time between Waterford and Palm Beach Gardens, FL eventually settling in Florida, where they enjoyed their later years together.

Above all, Libby was a deeply loving and dedicated grandmother. She and Richie took every opportunity to travel to visit their children and grandchildren, in Oregon, Montana, and New Zealand.

Libby is survived by her sister, Bernice Sayegh (Haim), and her brother, Norman Gross (Cleo); her son, Daniel Smith, and grandson, Austin; and her daughter, Adina Smith (Rick Hartman, Jr.), and granddaughters, Clara and Arie.

She will be remembered for her devotion to family, her passion for teaching, and the strength by which she lived her life.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, followed by interment in Beth El Cemetery. The service at the funeral home will be livestreamed. A link will be posted on www.neilanfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be shared.