Frances Marie Smith, 97, of Bedford, MA, formerly of Newton, MA, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Carleton-Willard Village, Bedford, MA where she had lived happily since 1997.

She was born June 7, 1921 in Gettysburg, PA the daughter of the late Roy W. Smith and Mary (Evans) Smith.

Fran attended high school at York Collegiate Institute, York, PA and went on to graduate from Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA in 1943. She taught English from 1943 until her retirement in 1981, first at two private schools and then at Newton (MA) North, from 1948-1960, and then at Newton South from 1960-1981.

She had been an active member for over 50 years at the Central Congregational Church in Newton where she sat on several committees and participated in numerous volunteer opportunities, including tutoring recent immigrants in English. After moving to Carleton-Willard she continued to volunteer her time and served on the Library Committee for many years and as a greeter at services.

Fran enjoyed theater, movies, reading, and spending time with family and friends, especially her seven best-beloved nieces and nephews, all of whom have a lifetime of warm, happy memories of their Aunt "Pe" who always made sure they knew how much she loved them. She welcomed four nephews-in-law into the family with the same love and affection. She was also very, very fond of chocolate.

Fran had many friends over the course of her life, every one of whom was the nicest person she had ever met.

Fran is survived by her brother Robert E. Smith; nieces Cathy Goldman (Marshall), Susan Smith Hager (Rodney), and Maggie Smith; nephews Dan Fremont-Smith, David Fremont-Smith (Cristian), and Ken Fremont-Smith (Eric); grandnieces Janet Goldman and Megan Watts; grandnephew Jonathan Goldman (Riley); great-grandnieces Isabella Watts and Eleanor Watts. Fran was preceded in death by a sister Janet Fremont-Smith and a nephew Steve Fremont-Smith.

Services will be held Friday, July 13, 2018 at 1:30 pm, in the auditorium at Carleton-Willard Village, 100 Old Billerica Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.  A reception with lots of chocolate will be held immediately after the service. A private burial will be held at a later date in the Dillsburg Cemetery, Mountain Road, Dillsburg, PA 17019.

Fran and her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Carleton-Willard Village for the love and care they provided. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carleton-Willard Employee Appreciation Fund, c/o Carlton-Willard Village, 100 Old Billerica Road, Bedford, MA 01730.