Rita L. Norton Smith

Obituary of Rita L. Norton Smith OBITUARY INFORMATION Rita Lorraine (Norton) Smith passed away August 24, 2011 at Medina Memorial Hospital after a struggle with heart disease. Born August 5, 1935 in Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, NY, she was the daughter of the late Lyle and Kathryn (Jones) Norton. Raised in the oil fields of Pennsylvania and on a farm in the southern tier of New York, she worked for the Telephone Company for a brief time before marrying Gerald Smith in 1955 and moving to Niagara County. After short stays in Newfane and Gasport, Gerald and Rita settled in Middleport on a dairy farm in 1961 where they spent the remainder of their lives. Over the years, Rita enjoyed working as a teacher’s aide and at the Middleport Post Office as a rural carrier. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, cooking, baking and cherished spending time with friends and family. She was especially fond of watching NASCAR, but mainly when Tony Stewart was winning. Rita was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Middleport and took great pleasure in service and fellowship with her fellow members. Mom cherished her time spent with her grandchildren and her pets (not always in that order). Any stray was welcome, and she took in her share and more. She made sure you knew you were welcome and well fed, friends soon became family. She was an incredible lady whose heart finally couldn’t hold the love she carried for her family, pets and friends. She goes to be with Dad, who has been waiting and watching over her since July 27, 2004. She is survived by her four children: David (Lisa) Smith of Middleport, Steven Smith of Middleport, Connie (Patrick McLaughlin) Kearns of Avoca, NY and Lisa (Thomas) Pegelow of Middleport. Her grandchildren: Amanda and Deanna Smith, Brian and Cory Lederhouse, Bambi Horton and Staci, Cheyenne and Jordan Pegelow. Cherished Pets are her dog, Kasee, and her cats, Tiger, Sammy and Snowflake. She is also survived by a sister, Reba (Murray) Mahaney of Arkport, NY, brothers-in-law, Harland Smith of Bath, Thurlow Smith of Hornell, William Clancy of Dansville and Larry Kame of Arkport. Several nieces and nephews also survive her. She was predeceased by three sisters: Charlene, Muriel and Karen. Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at the Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home, 4521 Main Street, Gasport, NY on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11:00 am with the Reverend Rodney Klinzing officiating. Interment will be in Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery, Gasport, NY. Memorials appreciated to a charity of one’s choice.