LEWISTON — Impi Seilonen Smith, 96, passed away peacefully on May 6, at Marshwood Center.

Impi had a long fulfilling life and she enriched her family and friends with warmth, humor and genuine caring. She had a loving heart and strong values that carried her through life’s storms and sunshine.

Impi was born a first generation Finn in West Paris, Nov. 25, 1915, to Evert and Eva Seilonen. She was the oldest of five siblings. She received her schooling from Paris and Norway schools graduating from Norway High School in 1934.

On March 2, 1935, she married Oni Hilden and lived for a brief time in Berlin, N.H. Her son Donald was born in 1936, and later Impi returned to the Norway-Paris area.

During World War II, Impi was employed as a tack welder at the Todd-Bath Shipyard in South Portland, where liberty ships were constructed. Later, she worked at Bates Mill in Lewiston, Colby Nursing Home in Auburn and Cummings Cleaners.

In 1951, she married Walter G. “Pete” Smith, settled in South Paris, and bore a daughter, Sally, in 1956. Pete’s daughters, Judy and Sandra, warmed to Impi’s nurturing.

Pete and Impi purchased a rambling old farmhouse in 1960 on the back side of Paris Hill. “The farm” as it was called, became the hub for many visits and events — from Finnish church luncheons to birthday parties, picnics to Friday night spaghetti, holidays, Sundays, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, cousins, grandchildren, elders, friends…everyone loved to come to the farm. Impi made the most delicious nisu, pies, cookies — everything — and served it up with hot brewed coffee.

Impi enjoyed every season of nature. She was a gardener, tobogganer, cross country skier, fisherman, sun lover, and berry picker. She could make real mince meat, can vegetables, hang wall paper, and mow hay with a scythe.

Impi had a propensity for literature and history and enjoyed music. She loved to delve into political issues, read, do crossword puzzles and take pictures. Impi could speak Finnish fluently and was a member of the Finnish American Heritage Society.

Ten years after Pete passed away; Impi sold the farm and moved to Auburn in 1987. She was an integral part in her grandchildren’s lives and continued to pursue her interests and hobbies. She lived at Meadowview in Lewiston from 2005 to present then briefly in Marshwood Center.

Impi is survived a son, Donald Hilden and a daughter, Sally Smith, of Lewiston; two stepdaughters, Sandra MacGown of Pittsfield and Judith Fox and her husband, Ronald, of Lewiston; two grandchildren, Beckie Sheloske of Montpelier, Vt., and Cynthia Woodworth of Auburn; six stepgrandchildren, Martin MacGown and his wife, Lynette, of Winslow, Stephen Belleau and his wife, Eileen, of Lewiston, Kimberly Parker and her husband, Bobby, of Lewiston, David MacGown and his wife, Terry, of Manhasset, N.Y., Jamie Belleau and his wife, Rebecca, of Lewiston and Nancy Monteyro and her husband, Dekk, of Hartland; 23 stepgreat-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Marshwood Center for the heartfelt care Impi received. Impi will be fondly remembered and sadly missed. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.