Josephine Smith

NORTHFIELD -- Josephine F. (Paladino) Schmidt Smith, 88, died July 28, 2008, at Lakes Region Elder Care, Laconia.

She was born on May 22, 1920, in Scilla, Italy, and immigrated to the United States at age 6.

She was raised in New Jersey, and attended Douglas College as a music major.

She later became a member of Phil Spitalny's All Girl Orchestra, and performed with Leopold Stokowski's Orchestra, where she met the love of her life, Charles James Smith.

She was an active violin and piano teacher in Wellesley, Mass. She was soloist and first violinist in the Wellesley Community Orchestra, as well as soloist with the Boston Symphony Children's Series.

Family members include three daughters, Joanne Mallove of Bow; Suzanne Howard, of Mendham, N.J., and Diane Lipowski of Massachusetts; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Sylvester Paladino, of New Jersey.

SERVICES: A memorial gathering will be Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St., corner of Union Street, Manchester. A memorial service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 1 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 105, Bedford 03110.

Arrangements are under the direction of Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Manchester.