Janet Hart Smith

Janet Hart (Spink) Smith, 89, of Perryville passed away October 27, 2015. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 yrs, Harold, and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Amy (Whitford) Spink. Janet spent most of her childhood in the Quabbin area of Mass. and later moved to Perryville. She graduated from So. Kingstown H.S. and RI State College (URI) with honors and a degree in education. She taught in the Narr. and S.K school systems, teaching 25 yrs at Matunuck Elementary School, and instilling a love of learning, especially of science and nature, in first graders. Janet loved her family, her school children, music, theatre, gardening, raising animals and her church family. Being involved with church, family and many organizations such as 4-H, Sweet Adelines, D.A.R. and Eastern Star meant a lot to her and she gave her time and talents to each group. She was a faithful and committed member of Peace Dale Cong. Church. She also formed the Perryville Cemetery Restoration Assoc. to preserve this historical cemetery. She is survived by her three children: Barbara E. Gilbert (husband Rodney), Carol A. Zurcher (husband George), and Jeffrey H. Smith, her five grandchildren; Katherine Stine (husband Marc, daughter Cora), Justin Zurcher (daughters Cassidy and Lauren), Seth Gilbert (wife Laura, daughters Emma and Charlotte), Marc Zurcher, and Hannah Gilbert (husband Adam Cole, sons Oliver and August), and her brothers, Sydney Spink of FL. and Walter Spink of MI and his wife, Nesta, and children, David, Philip and Anne. A funeral will be held on Saturday, October 31st at 10:00 a.m. at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St., Peace Dale, RI. A visiting time and reception will follow the service. Burial will be private. Donations may be sent to the Perryville Cemetery Restoration Assoc. c/o Lisa Babcock, Treasurer, 511 Shannock Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879.