Obituary for Elizabeth H. " " Betty " "Liz"" Smith Baker (Harper)
Elizabeth “Betty” “Liz” H. Smith Baker, 95, passed away peacefully at her home at The Bridge at Ocala in Ocala, Florida, on Saturday, September 16, 2023 with her family at her side. She was the wife of the late Donald H. Smith, Sr. (52+ years) and the late Warren Baker (7+ years).
The daughter of the late Charles and Mildred Harper, she was raised on her family’s “Avalon Farm” in Middlebury, Connecticut. She attended the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she met Don, the love of her life. Because her parents would not allow any of their daughters to be teen-aged brides, she and Don were married on the day following her 20th birthday.
Betty’s personal life was filled with service to the Town of Newtown and its citizens. She began her service to Newtown in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools as the Transportation Coordinator, a post she resigned in 1973 to run in and win the election for Tax Collector. Betty remained in that position until 1980. Two years later, she was elected Town Clerk, retiring in January 1988.
She was a member of the Newtown Congregational Church. The first woman to become a Trustee of the Newtown Savings Bank, she was also an active member of the League of Women Voters, the Newtown Women’s Club, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and the Town Hall Mural Fund.
Beginning in 1979, she traveled extensively with her husband, Don, in their motor home, crisscrossing all of the lower 48 states - and visiting Alaska three times. Following her marriage to Warren, they enjoyed several international trips and cruises. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family summer “camp” on Maidstone Lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. While in Florida, “Liz” was fond of cruises with her great friend, Nancy and challenging her daughter and friend Patty to bingo and Yahtzee games.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Curtis of Anthony, FL; son, Donald H. Smith, Jr, (Jeanne) of Meriden, CT; grandchildren Heather Bins of Jacksonville, FL, Kimberly Curtis (Tony Gordon) of Anthony, FL; Adam (Kristi) Smith of Macungie, PA and Benjamin (Kimberly) Smith of Orange, CT; great-grandchildren Jayson Curtis, Brennan Smith, Carter Smith, Alicea Gordon, Khai Gordon, Dazz Bins, David Bins, and Oscar Smith; two stepdaughters, Meredith MacAskill of Hooksett, N.H., and Janice (Bruce) Barker of Maidstone, VT. Step granddaughters Amanda (Mark) Price and Amy (Andy) Clark; and step great-grandchildren Willem Price, Finnian Price, Mirabelle Clark, and Lena Clark.
She was predeceased by her brother, George Harper; sisters, Ann Robinson, Harriet Clark, Marion Elliott, and Shirley Richardson; and a stepdaughter, Patricia Trottier.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside celebration of life for Betty to be held at Newtown Village Cemetery, (20 Elm Drive, Newtown, CT), at 11AM on October 28, 2023. Please consider sharing your memory of a time when Betty touched your life or your heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute, 1225 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128. Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is serving the family.
The daughter of the late Charles and Mildred Harper, she was raised on her family’s “Avalon Farm” in Middlebury, Connecticut. She attended the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she met Don, the love of her life. Because her parents would not allow any of their daughters to be teen-aged brides, she and Don were married on the day following her 20th birthday.
Betty’s personal life was filled with service to the Town of Newtown and its citizens. She began her service to Newtown in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools as the Transportation Coordinator, a post she resigned in 1973 to run in and win the election for Tax Collector. Betty remained in that position until 1980. Two years later, she was elected Town Clerk, retiring in January 1988.
She was a member of the Newtown Congregational Church. The first woman to become a Trustee of the Newtown Savings Bank, she was also an active member of the League of Women Voters, the Newtown Women’s Club, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and the Town Hall Mural Fund.
Beginning in 1979, she traveled extensively with her husband, Don, in their motor home, crisscrossing all of the lower 48 states - and visiting Alaska three times. Following her marriage to Warren, they enjoyed several international trips and cruises. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family summer “camp” on Maidstone Lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. While in Florida, “Liz” was fond of cruises with her great friend, Nancy and challenging her daughter and friend Patty to bingo and Yahtzee games.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Curtis of Anthony, FL; son, Donald H. Smith, Jr, (Jeanne) of Meriden, CT; grandchildren Heather Bins of Jacksonville, FL, Kimberly Curtis (Tony Gordon) of Anthony, FL; Adam (Kristi) Smith of Macungie, PA and Benjamin (Kimberly) Smith of Orange, CT; great-grandchildren Jayson Curtis, Brennan Smith, Carter Smith, Alicea Gordon, Khai Gordon, Dazz Bins, David Bins, and Oscar Smith; two stepdaughters, Meredith MacAskill of Hooksett, N.H., and Janice (Bruce) Barker of Maidstone, VT. Step granddaughters Amanda (Mark) Price and Amy (Andy) Clark; and step great-grandchildren Willem Price, Finnian Price, Mirabelle Clark, and Lena Clark.
She was predeceased by her brother, George Harper; sisters, Ann Robinson, Harriet Clark, Marion Elliott, and Shirley Richardson; and a stepdaughter, Patricia Trottier.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside celebration of life for Betty to be held at Newtown Village Cemetery, (20 Elm Drive, Newtown, CT), at 11AM on October 28, 2023. Please consider sharing your memory of a time when Betty touched your life or your heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute, 1225 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128. Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is serving the family.