Daughter of the late Sadie (Gordon) and Aleck Loftus. Loving wife for 44 years of the late William (Bill) Smith. Beloved mother of Hyla White and her husband James of Wilmington; and Daryl Sissman and her husband David of Naples, Florida. Cherished grandmother of Sammy, Gabriela, Zachary, Braeden and Nolan. Sister of Louis, Jordan, Lydia, David, Melvin, Dolly, and Roberta.
Irene was born in Lowell on June 14, 1931. After working her way through college by waitressing and painting signs, she graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and University of Connecticut with a Masters in Secondary Education. Irene taught Art Expression in the Connecticut public schools and at the University of Bridgeport. During her years in Connecticut, she began a lifelong volunteer initiative to create charcoal portraits in exchange for donations to various charities, including Hadassah, synagogues, church fairs, and more recently hospice. Irene married Bill in 1968 and moved to Hingham, MA, where she continued to pursue her artistic activities, including designing and creating the brass sculpture of the eternal light over the ark for Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham. She was very involved in raising her daughters Hyla and Daryl. Through her actions and teachings, she defined what it means to be a mother, enriching the lives of her children with her enduring love and support which lives on through her grandchildren. One of Irene’s greatest joys was teaching art to her grandchildren and their friends. In retirement, she enjoyed golf, theater, and of course, continuing to share her art with her community and family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10 AM at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon.
Chapel Service will be livestreamed at https://tinyurl.com/Irene-B-Smith
In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s name may be made to Temple Shalom at https://www.naplestemple.org or Dana Farber Cancer Institute at https://www.dana-farber.org
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