Frances Smith

1931 - 2017

Frances Smith, 86

Worcester - Frances (Seder) Smith of Worcester, MA, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Wed., Nov. 15, 2017. Born in Worcester, MA, daughter of Gladys and Arthur Seder, Fran is survived by her husband of 64 years (Sidney) and her two beloved daughters, Deborah Baker, wife of Eliott Baker of Mercer, PA and Ellen Smith, partner of Scott Roberts of North Creek, NY. Fran leaves a beautiful granddaughter, Elyssa Baker, two sister-in-laws, Janice Seder, wife of deceased brother Alan Seder and Susan Smith wife of deceased brother-in-law, Marc Smith; her "other" daughter Paula Stiles and her loving family, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Fran graduated from Classical High School; attended Washington University in St. Louis; and graduated from Elliot Pearson School of Child Study at Tufts University. She worked in the Worcester public schools for five years and then became the Director/Head Teacher at the Beth Israel Nursery School for 24 years, retiring in 1993. She loved working with children and became a "nanny" for several years and tutored many children in phonics. She felt hugely proud when children developed their reading skills. Her devotion to her students was so apparent that over the years many of her students remembered her with cards, letters and invitations to their special events including weddings.

Fran volunteered with the blind for several years and attended Braille University. She also volunteered at the Jewish Healthcare Center's gift shop and enjoyed making the flower arrangements they sold at the shop. Fran was a long time member of Beth Israel Synagogue, a lifetime member of its sisterhood, a life member of the Worcester Chapter Senior Hadassah, the ladies' auxiliary of the Jewish Healthcare Center, and a member of the Worcester Art Museum. Fran and Sid were/are very proud to sponsor Guatemalan children through Children's International.

Special thanks to those who spent endless hours preparing food, planning visits, driving to appointments and going above and beyond the call of duty. The love, devotion and assistance of family and friends have been greatly appreciated and touched her heart deeply. Warm thanks to her caretakers from JHC Hospice who grew to love Fran as family. Fran cherished the time she spent with loved ones. She will live in all our hearts forever.

A GRAVESIDE FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 1:30 PM ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH IN B'NAI BRITH CEMETERY, ST. JOHN'S ROAD IN WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN.

Following the interment service Memorial Observance will be held on Sunday, November 19th at 3:00 pm at the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester. For those unable to traverse the cemetery, please still plan to join us at the memorial service.

Fran loved walking, flowers, children and unique art. The last family outing included a trip to Elm Park to see the sculpture installation. She enjoyed the children's laughter in the new playground, the art displays and admired the new park benches. In honor and memory of her love of all the new elements of the park, we thought it fitting to request donations to have a park bench at Elm Park named in her memory. If interested, send donations to the Fran Smith Memorial Park Fund, c/o SRU Foundation, 104 Maltby Ave, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 (checks made payable to: SRU Foundation) or call 1-888-778-6389 to donate with a credit card; or donate to JHC Hospice of Worcester or a charity of your choosing.

"Family Owned"

www.milesfuneralhome.com

(508) 829-4434