Marilyn "Lee" Smith

Lee was born and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and attended Fitchburg High School, class of 1952, where she was chosen homecoming queen. Following graduation, she attended nursing school, graduating as an RN. As a nurse in Providence, RI she met her future husband, David J. Smith, studying medicine. They married in the fall of 1956. After moving to Fitchburg, they had two children, David Arnold and Bethany Lynn.

In January of 1963, they moved to York, ME where her husband practiced optometry in Portsmouth, NH and Lee worked as a nurse at York Hospital. It was in York where their third child, Deirdre Lee, was born.

Four years later, they moved to Cumberland Center, ME where David was a partner of an optometric practice in Portland, ME. It was in Cumberland where Lee spent many years raising her children and her beloved horses.

In 1987 they moved to Durham, ME, built a farmhouse with a pool and dressage ring, where she could practice two of her favorite things, riding horses and swimming. Lee also had a passion for flying planes and earned her private pilot license at 55. In addition, Lee is a member of the Dressage Foundation Century Club, with a world membership of fewer than 500.

After David’s passing in 1998, Lee’s interest turned to the water, renting properties lakeside in Concord, VT and poolside in Naples, FL, where she eventually moved permanently. Interests there included kayaking, tennis, mahjong, bridge, and pickleball!

Lee is survived by her children: David Arnold Smith of Naples, FL, Bethany Lynn Smith of Wellesley, MA, Deirdre Lee (Raymond Brassard) Smith of North Port, FL; grandchildren: Meredyth Lee (Elliot) Miller, Logan Baylor (Rebecca) Moran, Helen Katherine Donnelly, Daniel Graham Donnelly; great-grandchildren: Sloane Baylor Moran and Liam Thomas Miller; and sisters Marion (Peter) Tomasello, Gail (George) Hebert, and Barbara Penfield.

As per Lee’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service, but a family gathering in the spring. She will be interred next to her husband David in Fitchburg, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avow Hospice at avowcares.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Smith family.