Laura P.  Smith

Laura P. Smith, age 89, passed away quietly at home on December 30, 2016.

Born on June 11, 1927, Laura was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Mike) Peter. She was raised in the Danby area with her siblings, moving to Ithaca after graduating from high school to work as a bank teller. She then met the love of her life, H. William Smith, and together they worked the family farm and raised their three children, Jeffrey W. Smith of Wesley Chapel, FL, Mary Helen (Bruce) Myrdek of Lafayette, NY, and Daniel H. (Sue) Smith of Trumansburg.

While Laura placed her family first, she found time to proudly serve as a Den Mother for her son’s Cub Scout Pack in Trumansburg and as a Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls. She also was a member of the Trumansburg Star Chapter #470 Order of the Eastern Star, and served as a member of the Ulysses Historical Society. Some part time jobs she held over the years were with Maranca’s Gift shop in Trumansburg and the Christmas gift shop in Watkins Glen, NY. Laura seemed to be always in motion, was known to buy a lottery ticket or two, and was easily coaxed to take a trip to the casino. She lovingly cared for the many pets the family had over the years, and was very passionate about her cows. Laura’s vegetable gardens were always immense, seeming to make it her mission to feed not only her family, but all her friends and neighbors as well.

In addition to her children, Laura is survived by her grandchildren, Hannah S. Myrdek (Will Hackett), Caroline L. Myrdek, and Douglas W. Myrdek; sister-in-law Ruth Peter; many nieces and nephews; step-grandchildren, Devon (Holly) Smith, Jonathan Smith (Michelle Fuller), and Zachary Smith (Kendra Sims); special friends, who she considered family, Eric and Tara Hallman and their children Matt, Luke and Shelby Hallman; as well as an extensive community of friends for whom the door was always open and the coffee pot always on.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, H. William “Bill” Smith, her brothers, John, Jacob, Mitchell, George, Samuel and Moses Peter, and her sister Susie Bakerjian.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church in Trumansburg, followed by a reception at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to make a contribution in Laura’s memory to kindly consider the Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or Hospicare of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.