Angel Beth Smith

Angel Beth Smith (63) of Brooklyn, Connecticut passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family on June 25, 2024. The daughter of Sandra Smith and Ronald Smith, Angel was born and raised in Providence Rhode Island and was a member of the Narragansett Tribe. Angel was named after the Angels of Bethlehem, which truly emulated who she was inside.

From a young age, Angel was determined to become a professional artist and musician. After teaching herself to play several instruments, she favored the flute and mastered it by age 13; earning a seat in the Young Peoples Symphony of Rhode Island. Educated at the prestigious Lincoln School for Girls in Providence, Rhode Island, Angel concentrated on Music and Visual Arts and was awarded the Edna M. Martin Award for Excellence in Art.

Angel earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Textile Design from the world-renowned Rhode Island School of Design and continued to study music theory at Brown University. Taking a brief hiatus, Angel moved to the West Coast where she partnered in a graphic design business and started a family.

Upon returning to New England, Angel worked toward establishing herself as an Indigenous Artist. She took night classes at Rhode Island School of Design to perfect her drawing, As well as courses in business art and grant writing. She secured a working residency with the Turkey Land Cove Foundation to develop her showcase exhibition: The Indigenous Peoples Project. Angel curated various art exhibits throughout the Northeast and extended opportunities to other Indigenous Artists to display their work.

In 2023, Angel Beth Smith was the recipient of the prestigious Princess Red Wing Award by the Tomaquag Museum of Exeter, Rhode Island. Angel’s work has also been published in the Directory of Illustration as a highlighted Indigenous artist. She also debuted her first solo show in October of 2022; The Indigenous Peoples Project: The Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Women at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Angel’s work has been displayed at prestigious venues throughout Southern New England and beyond.

Angel worked at Foxwoods Resort Casino and for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Government for nearly two decades, and her deep admiration for the Mashantucket Pequot people was very evident. They became her family, and it brought her great purpose to love them, know them, and serve them.

Angel enjoyed her role as an artist, but her life ultimately was centered around her role as a mother. Her four children were her greatest joy and highest priority. Everyone who loved Angel knew how much she adored her children, whom she sadly leaves behind: Ethan Gruner (34), Emily Tetrault (32), Rachel Gruner (27), and Graham Gruner (25), as well as Zachary Tetrault (32), her son-in-law whom she adored as one of her own sons.

Angel also leaves behind her mother Sandra Smith and her three siblings: Ronald Smith, Nita Smith, and Monty Smith. Her love will continue to be seen and felt through the numerous friends who became family she leaves behind as well. Angel touched many lives that were forever changed by her presence.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center (110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, Connecticut 06338).

Flowers are welcomed to be delivered by 9:00 AM on Monday, July 1st to Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center at the aforementioned address.