VOORHEESVILLE —  Ethel Smith, long-time resident of Voorheesville, was a quiet woman of strong passions.

“She gave of herself — she gave with family, she gave to the church, she gave to community organizations,” said her daughter, Susan J. Smith. “No matter what she did, she was dedicated.”

Mrs. Smith “entered eternal life on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, surrounded by her loving family and friends,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 98.

“She was an unassuming individual — strong, loving, and respectful to others,” said her daughter, adding, “She had a humorous personality.”

Mrs. Smith was born on Federal Hill in Delhi, New York on Jan. 12, 1918 to the late Joseph and Susan Whittaker. She and her beloved husband, Edward R. Smith, were married over 39 years, their union ending only with his death.

They raised their family on Pleasant Street in Voorheesville. “She was everyone’s mother,” said her daughter. “Pleasant Street was a great place to grow up,” she recalled. The neighborhood kids would play outside in the summer and congregate in the Smiths’ playroom in the winter. “She always had food for everyone to eat,” said Ms. Smith. “She loved to cook.”

For holidays, she’d make small cheesecakes for her family. “She was known for her baked rolls,” said her daughter. “She give them to everyone as a holiday gift.”

As a mother, Mrs. Smith “got her point across quietly,” said Ms. Smith. “You knew when you were in trouble with her.

“Kathi and I were both adopted. At 3, I spoke broken English. One day, she stomped her foot and said, ‘Susie, when will you ever speak right?’ She regretted that ever since because I haven’t been able to shut up,” recalled Ms. Smith with a chuckle.

Mrs. Smith taught her daughters by example. “She gave Kathi and I a wonderful work ethic,” said Ms. Smith.

Mrs. Smith had received a certificate from Delhi Ag and Tech and Albany School of Business. She was employed by several law firms and, after taking time to raise her two girls, she returned to work at Voorheesville’s high school as a secretary in the main office for over 18 years. “She embraced the students and loved her work at school,” her family wrote.

“She was very passionate about her work,” said Ms. Smith.

Despite her family and work obligations, Mrs. Smith was active in her church and in community organizations. She was a charter member of the Voorheesville Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary since 1951; she served the auxiliary as president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.

She was also instrumental in the organization of the Voorheesville Ambulance Service. And Mrs. Smith volunteered at the Albany Medical Center South Clinical Campus Gift Shop for over 25 years.

She was honored in September 2008 as the Ladies’ Auxiliary Albany County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Woman of the Year. In May 1998, she received the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Greater Capital Region Business and Professional Woman’s Club.

She was a communicant at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Delmar for more than 55 years. Mrs. Smith volunteered as a member and officer of the Woman’s and Altar Guilds. She received an award for gratitude for more than 50 years of serving the Lord at His holy table.

She was also a member of the New Scotland Senior Citizens and of the New Scotland Historical Association.

Ms. Smith said her mother’s approach to life was like that of Teddy Roosevelt’s to foreign policy: Speak softly and carry a big stick. “You never saw the big stick but you knew she had it,” said Ms. Smith.

Ms. Smith concluded of her mother, “She was compassionate...She taught me so much. I learned how to love and respect people, which we don’t have in this world today.”

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Ethel Smith is survived by her daughters, Kathi M. Matheson of North Carolina and Susan J. Smith of Rensselaer; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Diamantatos and her husband, Chris, Jennifer Matheson, and Douglas Matheson, Dena Peckham, and Bruce Hankle; and her great-grandchildren, Corrin Broussard and Peter Broussard, and Matthew Peckham and Rachel Peckham.

She is also survived by her brother Joseph Whittaker and his wife, Elaine, of Delhi, New York; and by many nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Edward R. Smith, died before her, as did her brother Albert Whittaker and his wife, Margaret.

The family gives a special thank-you to Fred, Penny, and Nancy Trinkaus and caregivers Michelle Beaulieu and Mary Sofia. Also to her dear friends, Diane Williams and Jackie Schlappi, and to Hospice.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday from the Reilly & Son Funeral Home in Voorheesville and at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Delmar with burial in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Voorheesville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary, 12 Altamont Rd., Voorheesville, NY 12186 or to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Delmar, NY  12054.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer