Evangeline M Smith

Auburn – Evangeline Marie Smith, age 91, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11th. She was born in Frenchville on February 15th, 1931, daughter of Henry and Edith (Picard) Nadeau. She was educated in Madawaska Schools.

During her childhood years, Evangeline spent time on the family farm picking potatoes, milking cows, and learning the value of hard work.

She moved to Connecticut and met her future husband William Smith where they moved back to Auburn Maine where he also began working on the family farm. Evangeline was a dedicated homemaker, and it wasn’t long into their marriage before William was diagnosed with cancer.

During her working years, she spent time cleaning houses for the Round House Motel as a chambermaid, working for Kings Department stores for many years and working as a clerk for JCPenney’s department stores where she retired at 70 and had perfect attendance for the entire length of her employment.

Evangeline was a simple woman who loved nature, animals (especially cats), taking trips to Old Orchard Beach with her children, spending quality time with her great grandchildren and loved taking many photos. She even enjoyed her own company and spent many days traveling to Boothbay and watching the windjammer days. Evangeline loved watching thunderstorms and especially favored the smell of the rain after a storm. Hot Air Balloons were also a very important part of her life. She enjoyed following them in the car, attending the Balloon Festival and even going for rides herself!

She was predeceased by her parents, her son William Smith in 1978, and granddaughter Rebecca Williams who passed in 2011, as well as eight brothers and sisters.

Evangeline leaves behind her children Martha and Jim Eastman of Poland, James Smith and Janet Poplawski of Orem, Utah, Mariann and Dan Plourde of Waterville as well as 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sarah Frye and the Androscoggin Hospice House for their outstanding care, as well as Greta Chabot, Holly Bachman, Ann Fenderson and her grandson William Dubois for being there when I couldn’t.

Evangeline will forever be remembered for her fierce personality, strong work ethic, and courageous spirit.

Committal prayers will be held at Auburn Plains Cemetery at a later date in the spring.

To leave a message or share a found memory in the family guestbook, please visit thefortingroupauburn.com

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Homes | 217 Turner Street Auburn, ME 04210 | (207) 783-8545