Irene Smith

After 71 years of marriage, Ian B. Smith and Irene B. Smith departed earth as they had lived it –together. Ian, 95, died on March 3, 2020 and Irene, 94, died March 4, 2020.

Ian was born July 27, 1924 in Uphall Station, Scotland to John and Ethel Smith. His family emigrated to the United States in 1929 and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from South High School class of 1942. After a short stint of employment at Hathaway Bakery, Ian joined the U.S. Navy in June 1943. He served as a radioman (2nd class) in the South Pacific on Guadalcanal during World War II, being honorably discharged in December 1945. With the help of the GI Bill, Ian graduated from Clark University class of 1951. He then was employed by Norton Company (a manufacturer of abrasive materials that is now a division of Saint Gobain Corporation) in Worcester, Massachusetts. After 34 years of employment, he retired in 1985 as Technical Director of Products for the Philadelphia Region. In 1969 the family had moved from their home in Boylston, Massachusetts to one in Wayne, Pennsylvania,

Irene was born February 19, 1926 in Newburyport, Massachusetts to Albert and Hilda Barcelow. Her family moved to Worcester, Massachusetts where she graduated from North High School class of 1943. She joined the World War II Cadet Nurse Corps and received her Registered Nurse training at Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing class of 1946. She worked as an RN in both hospitals and private duty, taking time off to raise a family after she and Ian married on January 29, 1949. She ended her career as a Red Cross Nurse working on blood donation drives for the Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter, retiring in 1987.

In retirement, Ian and Irene spent summers and falls at their home on Flying Pond in Mount Vernon, Maine. They always welcomed friends and family including: sons Geoffrey B. Smith of Woonsocket, RI; Gregory B. Smith of Norristown, PA; daughter Jennifer S. Brigham and husband Colin J. Brigham of Downingtown, PA; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Most recently, Ian and Irene had resided at Daylesford Crossing in Paoli, PA.

Ian and Irene were buried at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, PA on March 27, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions their memorial service at the cemetery has been postponed until June 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm.

Memorial contributions in their names can be made to:

*Irene – The American Red Cross, Southeastern PA Chapter, 2221 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Ian – United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004-2608.