Gloria D. Smith

Gloria D. Smith, 94, a long-time resident of Brookline, NH, passed away peacefully at Summerhill Assisted Living in Peterborough, on February 14, 2024.

Gloria was born in Brattleboro, VT, on December 24, 1929, a daughter to the late Zephyr and Nettie Mary (Monmaney) Renaud. She was the youngest of eight children.

Gloria graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1948, before attending Keene Beauty Academy. She owned two beauty salons in Marlborough and Amherst, NH, and worked at both as a cosmetologist. She married her late husband, Herbert Leroy Smith on November 13, 1948, in Brattleboro. They made their home in Swanzey Center for many years before moving to Brookline.

Gloria was an expert seamstress and in her later years took great delight in designing and sewing quilted tote bags. She was also an avid card player, especially online Bridge. She was known for her ‘green thumb’ and could grow anything, often spending time outdoors in her gardens.  

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years, Herbert L. Smith, both of her parents as well as her siblings.

Gloria will be forever remembered by her four children: her son Bruce and his wife, Patricia Smith of Westmoreland, NH;  Gail Caron of Peterborough, NH; Debra and her husband, Douglas Cray of Milford, NH; and Heidi and her husband, Aaron Bradbury of Swanzey, NH;  as well as eight grandchildren: Heather Bradbury, Juli Messinger, Chad Cray, Ian Smith, Mariah Mills, Megan Caron, Evan Bradbury, Ethan Bradbury; eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  

Friends and family are warmly invited to her Funeral Mass at 10:00AM on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church, Peterborough, NH 03458, Rev. Joseph Moynahan will officiate.

Burial will take place in Brattleboro, Vermont, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Gloria’s name to: ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.