Obituary for Beth E. Smith Beth E. Smith, age 71, passed away suddenly August 20, 2018 with her husband by her side. Beth was born on May 29,1947 to the late Albert and Wilda Stewart Priebe, and was one of five children. Beth was raised in North Branch, NY and, upon graduation from high school in 1965, she attended State University of New York at Oneonta where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education.
During this time she met and married her soul mate, Robert L. Smith, and they were wed on June 8, 1968. Upon the completion of her degree she began teaching in New Lebanon, NY. , where the new couple cared for the Callahan children and practiced their parenting skills for future years.
After starting a family, Beth stayed at home to care for their children and ran a home daycare. With Bob’s career changes, the couple moved from New Lebanon to Lowville, to Sharon Springs, and finished raising their family in Dolgeville, where Beth returned to work as a Kindergarten-1st grade teacher at Poland Central School. Upon retirement the couple relocated to Northville where they renovated the family summer “Camp” to make it a year round home prepared for many family and friends to visit throughout the year.
Beth was very involved in the Northville Rotary Club and was always active with the Methodist Church. During the past several years Beth and Bob became snowbirds in Naples, FL where she enjoyed decorating their new home (her “playhouse”), water aerobics, pickleball, Bocce ball, beachtime, socializing with their new friends and organizing visits with family and friends. Beth was well known for being very organized in her ability to keep in touch with those in her life and in keeping their calendar full of visits from all.
She enjoyed sewing, knitting, playing the piano, playing pinochle, baking amazing desserts, planning family visits, attending her grandchildren’s events, sending cards to let others know that she was thinking of them and celebrating any little achievement of her loved ones. She will be remembered as a reliable, loving, caring and passionate friend, mother, sister, Aunt Beth and Grandma Beth to many, wife and most importantly, “The Boss”. Anyone who has ever met Beth would say she had a huge heart and her compassion for others and love for life radiated from her to anyone who came in contact with her.
Beth was predeceased by her brother Gary Priebe and her parents Albert and WIlda Stewart Priebe of North Branch, NY. Beth is survived by her husband Robert, with whom she celebrated 50 years of marriage this past summer, her children Brentley Smith (Beth) of Boise, ID, Kory Smith (Donna) of Lowville, NY and Keely Smith (Scott) of Northville, NY. Grandchildren are Tess, Tate, Kameron, Colten, Hailey, Taci, Trey and Cassidy.
Surviving siblings are brother Keith (Lynn) Priebe, sisters Dawn Priebe and Lisa (Jim) Peterson, and sister in-law Phyllis Priebe. Grand dogs are Hadley, Lyla, Jasper, and Tugg. Also noted are the many very loved family members and friends whom she spent time with.
A memorial service will be held at the Northville Methodist Church on Saturday August 25th, 2018 at 1:00 pm, officiated by Virginia Bossley. There will be a reception following the service at 144 Birchwood Place in Northville. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Northville Rotary Foundation or Northampton Ambulance.
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