Obituary of Marjorie D. Smith

Our mother, Marjorie Durland Smith of Monticello, Wanaksink Lake and Montgomery, NY, died October 24, 2011. She was born Marjorie Chase Durland, November 25, 1922 in Monticello, to Wesley and Gladys (Chase) Durland. Marjorie was the granddaughter of Emma C. Chase a pioneer in NYS and Sullivan County education. Predeceased by our father, William Galbraith Smith and her sister, Alberta Durland Richardson, she is survived by her brother Robert S. Durland of East Aurora, NY, her children and their spouses; Michael and Veronica Smith of Wanaksink Lake, NY, Casey and Warren Skuret of Palm, PA, Judy and Tom Dobbie of Poughkeepsie, NY, Virginia and John Galanti of Montgomery, NY. She is also survived by her four grandchildren (Erin Skuret Steenburgh, Kristen Skuret Barker, Ryan M. Smith, and Lisa Smith Lee), five great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A graduate of Monticello High School, she worked for NY Telephone during WWII in Monticello, Troy and Geneva NY, and for General Electric in Schenectady, NY. Mom graduated from NYC's Traphagen School of Design and worked for Brooks Costume Company. She worked as Chief Census Enumerator for the Monticello Central School District, as a local history columnist for the Republican Watchman Newspaper, and as Historian for the Town of Thompson for over 30 years. Mom volunteered in many organizations. She was a Brownie and Girls Scout Leader in Monticello, Sunday School Teacher in the Monticello Presbyterian Church, former Director of the Sullivan County Junior Red Cross, Past President and member of the Women's Club of Monticello, former Corresponding Secretary and member of the State Board of Directors for the NYS Federation of Women's Clubs, member of the General and International Federation of Women's Clubs, former Chairperson for the Monticello Youth Recreation Commission, former Chairperson for the Town of Thompson Zoning Board of Appeals for 15 years, Past President and member of the Municipal Historians Association of NYS, Past President and member of the Hudson Valley Historians Association, Past President and member of the Sullivan County Historical Society, former Director and Museum Chairperson for the Sullivan County Museum. Mixed into all of the above she was our mother, making our clothes and Halloween costumes for the parades down Broadway in Monticello, taking us swimming at Wanaksink Lake, helping us with homework, and playing lunch-time hostess to our myriad of school friends. With her wonderful sense of humor, she opened our home and her heart to all of our friends. She guided us through school, college, work, marriage, children, success and failure. She taught us right from wrong, self-reliance, strong work ethics and good manners. She and our father provided us a good life. She was a generous, kind, gentle, compassionate, creative, intelligent and very funny woman who deeply loved her family and community. She humbled us with the depth of her personal strength as she fought for her life and dignity against Alzheimer's disease for over 20 years. Above all, she blessed us with her absolute love, standing beside us always. This very fine woman is and will be always in our hearts. We would like to express our profound appreciation to our mother's caregivers over the past 6 years; Barbara, Basia, Anna, Zofia, Bozena, Ela, Grazyna, Halina, Renata and Anna Maria. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sullivan County Historical Society a community organization to which our parents and Grandmother Durland gave so much in their lifetimes. (SCHS, P.O. Box 247, Hurleyville, NY, 12747). Funeral services will be held at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, Monticello, N.Y., on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at 11:00 am. Calling Hours will be held that morning, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, at the funeral home. Burial services will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta, N.Y. Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com