1917- 2014

LEWISTON — Elizabeth “Betty” Harriet (Rackley) Smith, 96, of Greene, died Monday, March 24, at Marshwood Center.

She was born in Greene on Oct. 2, 1917, a daughter of the late Edward C. and Jennie (Odiorne) Rackley. She attended Greene schools and graduated in 1935 from Lewiston High School. She attended and graduated from the Auburn Maine School of Commerce, later taking classes at the University of Maine in Orono and Colby College.

She taught school at Woodstock High, Calais Academy and Rockland High School. She later worked for the state of Maine as a social worker; she loved being a social worker and dedicated 40 years of her life to this job. Betty married Mathew “Jack” Smith of Rockland on July 3, 1947; he passed away on Oct. 20, 2005.

Betty was a member of Greene Baptist Church and the Androscoggin Grange, where she served for several years as treasurer. She was also treasurer of the Greene Bicentennial Committee and served for 40 years on the Town of Greene Thompson Fund. She was a member of the Morse Library Fund when it was built and served for 25 years. Betty belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America and was its secretary for a number of years, and she volunteered in the Civil Defense and the U.S. Air Force as a ground observer during World War II.

Betty also belonged to the Lewiston-Auburn Social Workers Club, the Greene Senior Citizens Club and The Farm Bureau. She was also a holder of the Boston Post Cane. Betty knew most everyone’s family in her community, and could recall names and facts from memory up until her passing. She was always interested in town affairs and kept up to date on what transpired at town and board meetings.

She is survived by a niece, Barbara Coburn Bubier and her husband, Gerald, of Greene; very special friends and caregivers, Don and Donna Rose and their family; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Sylvia Coburn, in 1994.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Elizabeth’s life by visiting her guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.