Grace Denton Mills Smith

PEABODY -  Grace Denton Mills Smith, passed away in Peabody, MA on May 11, 2021, at the age of 101 years, 11 months.

Born on June 10, 1919, in Goshen, NY to Herbert Mills, a dairy farmer, and Julia Denton, a kindergarten teacher, she and her twin sister Eddie were the youngest of the five Mills daughters. Grace grew up on the Mills Family Homestead in Scotchtown, Orange County, NY. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1940, where she was proud to be a member of the Grouch Club.

While working as the secretary to the president of St. Lawrence University, she met Victor O. Smith of Flushing, NY, who would be her dear husband for 53 years. Together they settled on the Homestead. Victor practiced law in Middletown, NY. Grace worked as a travel agent, teacher, Girl Scout Council Executive, and administrative assistant to the Orange County Executive. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Middletown. During retirement Grace and Vic resided in Easton, MA, Keene, NH, and Chapel Hill, NC. Grace lived her final 20 years at Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA, where she made dear friends among residents and staff.

Throughout her life Grace cherished her friends and family. Hosting summertime family reunions on the farm was a focal point, with aunts, uncles, and cousins in abundance. Grace was known for her home-baked oatmeal bread, possibly the key to her longevity. She was a woman of strong mind, will, and heart.

Grace was predeceased by her husband Victor; daughter-in-law Sandy Dandrinos; her sisters Jule Shipman, Dorothy Sloan, Betty Mills, and Eddie Dixon; and all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her son Larry Smith (and partner Mary Pritchard) of Newton (and Andover), MA, daughter Vicky Sutton (and Jim) of Andover; her grandchildren Jonathan Smith of Austin, TX, Jennifer Anderson (and Michael) of Andover, Ursula Sutton (and Michael Downey) of Natick, MA; great grandchildren Elizabeth and Jessica Anderson and Nickolas, Sutana, and Noelle Downey; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Brooksby Village Assisted Living staff, Care Dimensions hospice team, and Visiting Angels of Danvers.

ARRANGEMENTS: Grace’s ashes will be interred at the Scotchtown Cemetery in NY, with a family graveside service at a later date. Grace would want you to make a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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