Irene P. "Tisha" Smith

BURRILLVILLE - Irene "Tisha" P. Smith, former State Senator, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Overlook Nursing Center in Pascoag. A lifelong Burrillville resident, she was the daughter of the late James and Irene Smith.
Irene graduated from Our Lady of Good Help School in Mapleville, RI and from St. Clair High School in Woonsocket. She received her A.B. Degree from Regis College and M.A. Degree from Columbia University and a Professional Diploma in Higher Education from the University of Connecticut. She belonged to the Delta Pi Epsilon and Kappa Delta Pi education honor societies. Irene was an Information Specialist with the Rhode Island Department of Education. She taught at Burrillville High School and was an Asst. Professor of Business and Asst. Director of Admissions at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA. Irene served as Executive Staff Assistant to former Governor Frank Licht; she is the former Vice Chairman of the Governor's Commission on Women. She was the State Legislative Chairman for the Business and Professional Women's Club of Rhode Island; She was a member of the Board of Administration and Town Buildings in Burrillville. In 1976 Irene was elected State Senator for the Burrillville, Glocester and Foster District. She was a member of the Burrillville Democratic Committee and Sewer Commission. She was an active communicant of St. Patrick Church, and avid golfer, and enjoyed time in Florida and cruises with her friends. Irene is survived by many close friends.
Visitation and Funeral will be held Monday, January 15, 2018 at 9am from the TUCKER-QUINN Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Pike (Rt. 44), Greenville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Patrick Church, 45 Main St., Harrisville. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Harrisville Fire Dept., 201 Callahan School St., Harrisville, RI 02830 will be appreciated. Information and Condolences, TuckerQuinnFuneralChapel.com