Joan Smith

Joan Patricia Smith, (née Flanagan), 87, recently of Stamford, CT, died Saturday, August 11th at Edgehill, where she had been a resident for a short time. She was the daughter of Dr. William Francis and Helen (Finnegan) Flanagan. She was raised in New Britain, CT. with her four siblings, Helen Walsh, William “Billy” Flanagan (deceased), Barbara “Bobby” Barry (deceased), and Jean Sposato. She attended Moreland Hill School in Kensington, CT and then Trinity College in Washington D.C. She continued her education in music at Rochester School of Music in Rochester, NY, and then at The Julliard School, where she studied piano, her lifelong love. Her husband, Robert Michael Smith of Meriden, CT, predeceased her. They made their home in Westport, CT. She is survived by her two daughters, Suzanne Sennatt and her husband Timothy Sennatt, and Jody Blake and her husband Dr. Arthur Blake, as well as nine grandchildren. Joan loved her life in Westport, and was involved in the community as a member of the Westport Garden Club and the Westport Historical Society. Her first and greatest love was the piano. She was passionate about opera and attended the Metropolitan Opera regularly. She also loved theatre of all kinds, from local theatre to Broadway. She played tennis almost daily, and in her later years, despite her fear of flying, became an avid traveler. Joan always cherished her cottage at Tolman Pond in NH, where her family spent many wonderful summers. Funeral Service will be private. Arrangements are in care of the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home 2900 Summer Street Stamford.