NORWICH – Alberta F. “Bert” Smith, 74, of Norwich, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2013, in the Lourdes Hospital of Binghamton following a brief illness.
Bert was born in Lincklaen, NY on Jan. 22, 1939 the daughter of Merton and Lillian Gross Law. She was a 1958 graduate of the South Otselic schools and made her home in Norwich for more than 40 years. Throughout her career, Bert worked for Chase Bank and its predecessors, Unison Industries and NBT of Norwich.
On Jan. 27, 1973 in Norwich, she married Ronald Smith who survives. Besides her husband Ron, of Norwich, she is survived by her sons Scott Doing of South Plymouth; Troy Smith and wife Kelly of Oxford; her grandchildren Mercedes Doing, Nicole Watts, Jacob, Brady and Charlotte (Charlie) Smith; and her sisters Marion Law and Patricia Cross, and husband Jeff, all of Norwich. Also surviving is her brother-in-law, two sister-in-laws along with several nieces and nephews.
Bert was predeceased by her brother Leslie “Buddy” Law.
Simply put, Bert was amazing. She was extremely intelligent and hard working. She was a loyal and dedicated employee. She loved interacting with all of her customers and making that personal connection. She found it difficult to relax and retire ... which is evidenced by the fact that she returned to and retired from NBT more than once. Even on weekends, she would wake up in the morning, set her hair, put on her heels and decide to start a little project. She and her loyal assistant Ron would buy their materials, haul them home and start the demolition. If you needed a wall gutted and rebuilt, Bert was your woman. If you needed a twelve course meal prepared for a party of 20, Bert was the lady to do it. If you needed your two-acre backyard landscaped and decorated with an oasis of beautiful flowers, Bert would get it done ... early, and under budget. If her grandbaby needed to be held and rocked to sleep, well, she loved to do that too. There was nothing that she could not master ... and she always looked beautiful while doing it. Many neighbors will miss the LOVE-PEACE-NOEL lights she worked hard to have on her fence every Christmas season.
To say that Bert loved and lived life for her family would not be enough. Her proudest accomplishments in her life were her children and grandchildren. She was always their fiercest protector and strongest advocate. Anyone who knew Bert and has ever had a conversation with her knows that when she spoke of her sons or their children, her eyes lit up and that sweet smile spread across her face. She always went above and beyond to make every birthday, every holiday and every day she had with them as special as she could. She will be forever loved and missed beyond words. We see you waving out the window, Mom.
Private funeral services for Bert will be held at the convenience of the family with interment in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Please consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790. Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.