Jane Smith

Jane Smith (Campbell), of North Hill, Needham, MA, and Wakefield, RI, died February 7, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Mary Hazard Campbell and Wallace Campbell II on October 7, 1924, in Montreal, Canada. Jane was predeceased in 2009 by her devoted husband of 61 years, Barton P. Smith, M.D. They made their home in Westwood, MA. She is the loving mother of Heather S. Collins of Hingham, MA, Holly L. Smith-Reynolds of Wakefield, RI, Martha B. McManamy of Newburyport, MA, Bruce E. Smith of Norwood, MA, and Christopher H. Smith, M.D. of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by nine cherished grandchildren: Nicholas, Alison and Hilary Collins; Charles Reynolds; Evan, Conor and Laura McManamy; and Emery and Rae Hirschfeld-Smith. Mrs. Smith had three sons-in-law: Jeffrey Collins, Hanson Reynolds, and John McManamy, M.D., and one daughter-in-law, Karin Hirschfeld. She is also survived by her beloved brother Hugh Campbell and his wife, Lorli, of Stowe, Vermont, and by 13 nieces and nephews. Jane Smith believed in the value of each individual's worth and demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping special needs individuals become contributing members of society. Beginning as a parent volunteer 30 years ago, Jane became Associate Executive Director of the Arc of South Norfolk, MA, developing community based vocational, residential, respite and social service programs. One of her proudest moments was inspiring Polaroid Corp. to sell 7.5 acres of land in Westwood, MA, valued at over $1 million, for $1.00, to build "A Place of Our Own," which houses the myriad programs provided by the Arc. Hers was a life of service. Fearless on mountain peaks and undaunted by the coldest lakes, Jane was an intrepid world traveler. Following snow melt, she was one of the first swimmers in Narragansett Bay and the last to leave it in November. Her inquiring mind led her to develop expanding interests in the areas of gardening, ecology, and social and political history. She was invited to Russia to assist in creating services for special needs individuals, similar to the programs she expanded in MA. Always a ready listener, she found her experience and advice were valued by many. She had a warm heart, a delightful sense of fun and a genuine love of people. Jane was gracious to the end, and all those whose lives she touched, including her final care-givers, are deeply saddened by her passing. Jane spent her formative years happily at The Wheeler School and graduated from Pine Manor Junior College, earning her B.A. cum laude from Brown University (Pembroke College) in 1946. In 1947, she married Barton P. Smith, who was an internist with Dedham Medical Associates, MA, for most of his career. Jane obtained a Masters of Science in Management from Lesley University in 1984 and began consulting with The Executive Service Corps to work with non-profit organizations, such as the Gilbert Stuart Museum, using her business expertise to help the Board develop a new vision. Jane spent as much time in South County as she could, the county of her ancestors, the Hazards, where she maintained a second home and participated in a variety of activities: gardening, swimming, visiting with relatives and friends and playing tennis; she was a badminton doubles champion. She shared her enthusiastic energy with The Dedham Country and Polo Club, the Chilton Club, the Fox Hill Garden Club in MA, and the South County Garden Club in RI. She was a lifelong member of The Dunes Club in Narragansett, an avid member of Little Rest Readers, and she spent many solo volunteer hours working in The Hazard Memorial Garden in Peace Dale. A service honoring Jane will be held on April 9, at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 261 Columbia Street, Peace Dale, RI 02883, at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow. Gifts in her memory may be made to The Arc of South Norfolk, 789 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090 (www.arcsouthnorfolk.org.)