Beulah H. Smith

AUBURN – Beulah H. Smith, 101, passed away peacefully at the Androscoggin Hospice House on Oct. 13, 2023, with her daughter, Kelly, holding her hand, and son-in-law, Steve, at her side.

Beulah was born on Feb. 9, 1922 in Lewiston to parents Lucien Gagne and Florence (O’Connor) Gagne. She was known by her family and friends as “Bea”, and as “Mimi” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Beulah was a long-time member of the Holy Cross and Holy Family Churches.

Beulah graduated from Lewiston High School in 1941. She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing, 1941-1944, graduating third in her class. She was head nurse in pediatrics at St. Mary’s Hospital, 1944-1946. She worked as a private duty nurse, 1946-1966, a charge nurse at Montello Manor, 1966-1968, and was the 3-11 Supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital from 1968 until she retired in 1985. If you worked with Beulah, you knew you had better show up to work with a clean white uniform and nurses cap, and freshly polished white shoes. There were no exceptions.

Bea will always be remembered for being the family “go to” medical expert and the person to call for any and all advice. She ALWAYS put the needs of others before her own and was NEVER at a loss for words. If Bea liked you, you knew it. If she didn’t like you, you knew it. She always spoke her mind, even if you didn’t want to hear it. She had a few mottos she lived by: “I may be wrong, but I doubt it.” and “There are two ways to do things, my way or the wrong way.”

Over the years, Bea’s favorite activities included: sewing, figure skating, swimming, camping, gardening, raking, and spending time with her family. She loved the outdoors, as well as spending many enjoyable holidays with Kelly’s in-laws, Ken and Marian Rich, and their family.

Beulah was an animal lover, and particularly loved cats. She had several Siamese cats throughout her life. She took in a neighborhood stray she named Bailey, and provided a warm and loving home. Her most recent companion was a Ragdoll cat named Pinky, which she received as a 100th birthday gift.

Bea was known for saying that age is just a number, and she kept up with the times, including ever changing technology, calling her family on her Alexa Echo Show device. She received calls from her niece, Judie, twice a day, her niece, Amy, and loved talking to her great-grandchildren on the Echo device as well.

Marine and her husband, Rick Shea, along with Kelly, were instrumental in making it possible for Beulah to fulfill her wish of remaining in her home until her final days. Her hairstylist, Kristen, quickly turned into a friend who provided Bea with compassionate assistance, friendship, and the best curls in town. Bea also had wonderful neighbors, including Sarah, Eddie, Sophie, and Debbie, who checked in on her and stopped by to chat, often while she was outside enjoying her yard.

Beulah is survived by her daughter, Kelly (Smith) Rich, and her husband, Steve Rich, of Windham; her grandchildren, Zach Rich and his wife Janessa of Windham, Meghan (Rich) Paino and her husband Andrew of Farmington, Conn.; her three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Natalie, and Emma. There were 100 years between Bea’s age and that of her granddaughters, Natalie and Emma. Bea had three very special nieces who became like daughters, Marine Shea, Judie Weir, and Amy Charette. She also had nephews Harry Chaplin, Gary Veilleux, and Mark Law; and lots of grandnephews, grandnieces; as well as cousins in Montreal.

Predeceased are her beloved son, Michael Smith; her husband, Arnold Smith; and her three sisters, Helena (Gagne) Law, Violet (Gagne) Chaplin, Marine (Gagne) Veilleux; a niece, Peetie Charette, and a nephew who was like a son, George Veilleux.

Beulah will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She was one of a kind: a remarkable, impressive woman who was unforgettable and ahead of her time. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and woman – tough, as we all know, and lived life her way! We are relieved she is now at peace, playing cards with her sisters in heaven.

The family would like to thank the staff at CMMC Hospital, d’Youville Pavilion, and Androscoggin Hospice House for the loving manner in which they cared for Beulah.

Per Beulah’s wishes, a private celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements by the Pinette Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston, 784-4023. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com .

At 100 years old, Beulah became a spokesperson for the Meals on Wheels program, so in lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Beulah’s memory to:

Meals on Wheels

SeniorsPlus

8 Falcon Rd.

Lewiston, ME 04240

Beulah H. Smith