Mrs Marilyn Elizabeth Smith

Marilyn Elizabeth Smith passed away Tuesday morning, December 7, 2010 at her home in the company of her loving husband after a heroic battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Rochester, NY on April 28, 1940, Marilyn was the daughter of the late Harvey and Sarah Boers. Marilyn was proud of her Dutch heritage which could be traced back to Arendt VanCorlaer, one of Schenectady's first settlers, and to former President Martin VanBuren. She was the best friend and loving wife of Schenectady attorney Wayne P. Smith, to who she joyfully wed on August 29, 1964. They enjoyed 47 years of faith, love and happiness. She was the loving mother, confidant and wise counselor to Thomas A. Smith and his fiancé Cher Anderson, Rebecca J. Bartlett (Christopher) and Jason C. Smith. "Marn" is also survived by her adoring brother Richard W. Boers of Ida, Michigan. She was the cherished "Mimi" to her grandchildren Kayla Bink, Sabrina Bink, Samantha Smith and Sampson and Lincoln Bartlett. She had a special relationship with Cher's daughter Candace Castner. Marilyn graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and devoted her life to the mentoring of young children. She championed their needs, desires and fostered a safe learning environment as an elementary school teacher with the Schenectady City School district for 28 years. She taught in many of the elementary schools within the district and finished her career teaching fourth grade at Hamilton Elementary School in the inner city of Schenectady. Marilyn was her students' advocate and enjoyed following their successes in life. Marilyn was an outstanding quilter and member of numerous guilds in New York and New England. Through these guilds and her special group Needle a Little Therapy she formed lifelong friendships. Marilyn enthusiastically shared her love of fabrics and their ability to comfort the soul and warm the heart with not only her friends and family but also the children of the Northeast Parent and Child Society of Schenectady. She would make quilts for the children so that they would be able to wrap themselves up in threads of love. Her other passions included reading, cooking and enjoying fine cuisine, Sunday drives, summers at the family cottage in York County, Maine and her grandchildren. Special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gerardus Jameson, Dr. John Delmonte and Dr. Tia Olds at New York Oncology Hematology, Rotterdam Emergency Medial Service and the Community HOSPICE of Schenectady. Marilyn received caring and dignified treatment from each person at these organizations. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to celebrate her life on Sunday December 12, 2010 at Bond Funeral Home ,Broadway & Guilderland Avenue, Schenectady,NY followed by a luncheon at Canali's Restaurant, 126 Mariaville Road, Schenectady. The service will begin at 11:45 AM and the lunch will follow directly thereafter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northeast Parent & Child Society, 530 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 or to the City Mission of Schenectady, P.O. Box 760, 11 Cheltingham Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12306.