Virginia R. Smith

Virginia R. (Fossa) Smith, 98, of Boxford, wife of the late Francis S. Smith, Sr., passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. Born in Gloucester, MA on February 7, 1917 she was the daughter of the late Carl and Margaret (Eaton) Fossa. She grew up in Danvers and graduated from Danvers High School. Virginia work for the Boxford School system for many years. She loved the out of doors, gardening, bird watching, and sitting by the ocean. She was an avid knitter, did a variety of needlework, and rug hooking for which she won 1st place at the Topsfield Fair, and was a member of the Ladies Charitable Society of the Second Congregational Church of Boxford. But most of all Virginia loved her family, and the few other very special people in her life that she loved as her extended family. Virginia was married to Francis S. Smith, Sr. on June 23, 1940 with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Virginia is survived by her daughters Linda N. Bissell of Topsfield, MA, Joan K. Drouin of N. Andover, MA, Karen M. Weldon and her husband Richard of Brandon VT, Susan V Smith of Boxford, MA and son Francis S. Smith, Jr. and his wife Joanne of Danvers, MA, as well as 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Richard D. Smith, grandchildren, Lauren Smith and Nicholas Smith, and a great grandchild, Seth Drouin. A Memorial Service will be held at the Second Congregational Church of Boxford at 2 pm on Saturday, May 9th. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be at the Mt Vernon Cemetery in Boxford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ladies Charitably Society, Post Office Box 508, West Boxford, MA 01885. To sign the family guest book, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the Merton E. Roberts, Jr. and Conte Funeral Home, Georgetown.