Shirley A. Smith

SALISBURY — Shirley A. Smith, 84, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at Yale-New Haven Hospital on March 31, 2011, surrounded by her family. In her life she touched many hearts with her contagious laughter and lively sense of humor. She was born March 2, 1927, in Torrington, the eldest of nine children born to Margaret (Carnegie) and Louis Curtiss of Norfolk. Shirley spent many years as an employee at Becton Dickinson in North Canaan. Upon retirement, she cared for her grandchildren and for other children who also knew her as “Grandma.”She was predeceased by her husband and best friend of nearly six decades, Robert A. Smith Sr., and two of her brothers, Joe and Louis.She is survived by her six remaining brothers and sisters, Edith Thomen, William Curtiss, John Curtiss, Mary Logenwell, Peggy Canteveri and Jim Curtiss. She will be sorely missed by her three children, Antoinette Crawford of Salisbury, Robert A. Smith Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Salisbury and Michelle Salerno and her husband, Anthony, of Waterbury. In addition to her children and siblings, her memory lives on in her grandchildren, Michael White and his wife, Sarah, of Salisbury, Jessica Smith of Salisbury, Danielle Crawford-Murphy and her husband, Robert, of Virginia Beach, Va., David Golden of Salisbury, Kayleigh Golden of Lime Rock, Christopher White of Salisbury, N.C., and Jamison Salerno of Waterbury. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.A celebration of life was held April 4, followed by a reception at the Lakeville Hose Co. firehouse in Lakeville.The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has charge of arrangements.