Cecile Smith

Mrs. Cecile Smith of St. Johnsbury passed away Saturday evening, January 28, 2017.

Cecile was born in St. Johnsbury on November 20, 1927, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Bisson) Prevost.  She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Saint Johnsbury where she graduated in 1944.   She was introduced to her future husband, Stewart Smith, as he used to say, “on a blind date on a dead-end street.”  On September 11, 1954 they were married.  They shared over 62 wonderful years, touching many lives on their journey together.  Stewart passed away just last fall, on October 30.

Cecile worked many years as a bank teller at The Howard Bank on Main Street in Saint Johnsbury, the last several years as head teller.  She was dedicated to helping her customers, even going to their apartments at The Saint Johnsbury House to help reconcile accounts and organize customers’ finances.

Cecile was a long-time and faithful member of St. John’s Parish where she served in many capacities.  She was a member of the Saint Anne’s Altar Society.  She sang in the Parish’s Funeral Choir, as well as helping in the Parish’s many activities.  It was one said of her, “If you needed something done at the Parish, you called Cecile.”

Cecile was predeceased by two of her brothers and by a sister.  She is survived by her youngest sister, Irene Canton, of Lancaster, New Hampshire.

She is survived by her three children, Norman C. Smith and wife Nadia of Ferrisburgh, Barbara Ziter and husband Herb Jr. of Waterford, and David J. Smith and wife Lorie of Johnson; by four grandchildren, Michelle Ziter Fox, John Peter Smith, Anna Elizabeth Smith, and Jeremy Stewart Smith (Jen Fiona); and by two great-grandchildren, Patrick and Ashley Fox; and by many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her grandson Jeffrey Ziter in 2003.

Cecile was a loving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt.  She will be greatly missed by all.

The family would like to thank Debbie Ogden, Brenda Powers, Ashley Hoyt and Cindy Davis, who helped care for Stewart and Cecile and enabled them to stay in their home over the last year and a half.  We would also like to thank Doctor Joyce Dobbertin for her care for Cecile, and the staff at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center for the care they provided during Mom’s last days.

Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 8, from 6-8 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Johnsbury Thursday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church.  The Rev. Bernard Gaudreau will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the Spring at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in Cecile’s name to the Jeffrey Ziter Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Good Shepherd Catholic School, 121 Maple Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com.