Obituary of Margaret H. Smith

Margaret H. Smith, age ninety-nine, died October 7 at Wayne Woodlands Manor. Born in Honesdale on December 23, 1915, she was the daughter of Minnie Bass and William H. Hawken, co-owner of the Irving Cut Glass Company. Margaret was a graduate of Honesdale High School, class of 1933, and worked at the Woolworth Department Store and later as a bookkeeper at Katz Underwear Factory. She was a volunteer in the American Red Cross Gray Lady Service at Wayne Memorial Hospital and for fifteen years served as secretary of the Wayne County Office of the Aging. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Honesdale, and an active member of the church choir and St. Catherine's Guild. Margaret was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be remembered for her sense of humor, infectious laugh, and generosity. A kind soul with legions of friends, she deeply loved cooking and sitting down to play four-handed hozzie in the evenings. In addition, she enjoyed snowmobiling and swimming at Lake Alden, where for many years she and her husband, Homer, owned a cottage. Music was a major part of Margaret's life. A talented, self-tought musician, she played the ukulele and piano in a number of local bands, providing music for square dances and other community events. One of her favorite activities was sitting at the piano after dinner and leading her granddaughters in song. Margaret's love of music was infectious. She instilled that love in her son, Lynn, who went on to become a professional organist and music teacher. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Homer H. Smith, who died in 1994. Her daughter, Suzanne Theobald, died in 2010. Margaret is survived by her son, Lynn, and his wife, Barbara, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren: Tammy Theobald and husband, Laurence Rosler, of Honesdale; Marjorie Theobald and partner, David Bednarczyk, of Palmyra, Virginia; Peter Guthy and partner, Pat Weidman, of Erwinna, Pennsylvania; Robert Guthy and wife, Beth, of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; Pamela Sullivan and husband, David, of South Windsor, Connecticut; as well as four great-grandchildren; Ian Sullivan of Vermont; Brendan Sullivan of New Hampshire; Hannah Guthy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Olivia Guthy of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. A Burial Office will be celebrated on Friday, October 23, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Grace Episcopal Church, 827 Church Street, Honesdale, Pa with Father Edward K. Erb officiating. Arrangements by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 Main Street, Honesdale, PA. Interment will be in the Indian Orchard Cemetery, Honesdale. Memorial contributions may be made in Margaret's memory to the Grace Episcopal Church, Organ Fund at 827 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.