Margaret Louise Smith

SMITH, MARGARET LOUISE (FASSINO), 88, died December 1, 2008, three months after the death of her husband of 66 years, William W. Smith. For the last 60 years, the Smiths have made their home in Wakefield, where Louise was active in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Women’s Club of South County, the St. Francis Women’s Club, and many other community organizations. Born Margaret Louise Fassino in Somerville, Mass., she was daughter of the late Edward and Margaret (Sheehan) Fassino. She was raised in Harrisburg, Penn., and Swansea, Mass., where she graduated from Joseph Case High School in 1937. Louise studied nursing at Newport Hospital and became a registered nurse in 1941. She was a nurse at Newport Hospital and South County Hospital, as well as a visting and private duty nurse. She was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wakefield. Louise enjoyed quilting and was a lifelong reader. In 1962, Louise was a founding member of the GFWC Women’s Club of South County, and served as the club’s president from 1968 to 1970. Among her favorite activities with the club were organizing the annual Authors Luncheon and creating a Rolling Library program for house-bound seniors throughout South Kingstown. Mrs. Smith leaves her brother Edward and sister-in-law Lillian Fassino of Natick, Massachusetts; her son David and daughter-in-law Rosemary Smith of Narragansett; her daughter Teresa and son-in-law Jeffrey West of Natick, Massachusetts; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three children: Elizabeth, William and Mark, and her sisters Mary Gantley and Helen Falconer. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, Friday, December 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Peace Dale. Calling hours are from 3-6 PM on Thursday, December 4 at the AVERYSTORTI Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Louise’s memory to the GFWC Women’s Club of South County, PO Box 5684, Wakefield, RI 02880, for its annual scholarships that support continuing education among women with limited financial or educational opportunities.