Anne Louise Smith (Lane), 97 died peacefully in the late evening of December 31, 2017 blessed by her priest, current with her family, in the presence of her beloved daughter at Birch Bay Village, Bar Harbor. She was born on the 26th of July 1920 in Belmont, Massachusetts, the daughter of Andrew L. and Corinne M. Lane (Joyce), and second of four siblings (Mary, Jean, William).

Anne grew up in Arlington Massachusetts, attending parochial school at St. Agnes Parish, high school at Mount St. Joseph Academy, and ultimately 4 years at Regis College where she graduated in 1942 with a degree in biology and chemistry. With WWII already upon us, Anne quickly joined the war effort when recruited by a local military contractor seeking recent graduates with her specific studies.

In that capacity, she met a dashing young Army officer and gentleman who had graduated from Norwich University in 1941 with a degree in chemical engineering. Anne married Waldo H. Smith on April 15, 1944, and the newlyweds resided in Dayton, Ohio near where he was assigned to Army Air Force Headquarters at Wright Field. After the war ended, the couple spent a brief time in Portland, Maine before selecting the small rural town of Topsfield on the North Shore of Boston as the place to build a home for their future. Waldo went to work for Texaco as an industrial engineer, and Anne settled in to have and raise six children (five boys then finally a girl) in this idyllic setting.

When the youngest children had gained a measure of independence, Anne earned a Master's Degree at Salem State College and started teaching at Great Oaks Elementary in the adjacent town of Danvers. She had a very gratifying 16 year career there, and certainly had a profound effect on many eager students. The last dozen of those years, Anne and Waldo carefully researched and took exciting and informative annual vacations together to a variety of foreign countries.

By this stage, all the children had left the nest and were seeking out their own interesting places to live. The whole flock always loved both ocean and mountain lifestyles, so there was much movement. The parents decided to retire early and focus on their travel around North America, and visiting their offspring often wherever they perched. All their children had become good swimmers trying to keep up with Anne when they were young; Anne became a remarkably good snow-skier trying to keep up with her children when she was old. Family members had a lot of adventures and fun times together in wonderful places for many years.

After Waldo died at 85 on June 21, 2003, Anne left Topsfield and moved to Bar Harbor, Maine where she acquired a charming little house near town, yet close to Acadia National Park treasures. It proved to be a perfect fit for her twilight years. The extended family was enticed to visit her often and for longer periods. She got involved with the community, stayed active at the YMCA, developed a network of scenic walks, and made interesting new friends. In the fall of 2012, when it was not yet dark but getting there, Anne eased into the convenience, comforts, camaraderie, and care of the Birch Bay Retirement Community for her grand finale.

Anne is survived by all six children ~ Waldo Jr. (Russ), Gregory, Geoffrey, Stephen, Andrew, and Jeanine, and also, her year-younger sister Jean Fitzgibbons,10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends.

There will be a Memorial Mass held in Anne's honor at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Bar Harbor on Tuesday, January 16th, at 10 A.M., with a short social afterwards. A memorial party may get organized and scheduled later. There will be much to miss about Anne's being gone, little to grieve, plenty to celebrate together. She certainly got her licks in on the lollipop of life. Anne gave and received a lot of love during her time on Earth.