Velma U. Smith

CABOT - Velma U. Smith, 85, of Cabot, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vermont.
Velma, the only child of Bernard and Arreca (Gamble) Urban of Cabot, was born on April 24, 1931. She attended schools in Cabot, Vermont, and earned a bachelor's degree in English from Lyndon State College. Later, she earned her master's degree from Plymouth State College, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Lifelong learning is the only description for Velma's passion for education. Her work at the University of Vermont, Norwich University and the Barre City schools supported and defined the educational experience of students from age three to freshman embarking on their college career.
She married Morin Smith in 1952. They later divorced in 1980.
Velma retired from the education field in 1991 and embarked on another of her passions, traveling. With her companion, Leland Ennis, she traveled to all 50 U.S. states, including Alaska,and all provinces in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador. Trips were made with her family to Mexico and England to research her family history. Many of the collectibles that Velma possessed were actually a memory of each of the trips she enjoyed. She took traveling seriously. On a three-month trip across Canada, she broke her arm. The only detour in the planned trip was to a hospital to have her arm set and then they were back on the road.
She leaves behind her companion of 34 years, Leland Ennis; daughter-in-law Chere Smith; grandsons Chip and Ralph Lamell; and stepdaughters Gloria Abbiati and Marjie Ennis Floyd. Besides, her parents, two aunts, Lottie Gunzel and Jessie Davis, and one son, Montgomery Smith, predeceased her.
There will be no calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the Durant Cemetery Lower Cabot, Vermont.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601.
Arrangements are in the care of des Groseilliers Funeral Home, Church Street, Hardwick.