Rose Marie Smith, of Colchester, passed away comfortably in her sleep surrounded by family on November 18, 2024 at Backus Hospital in Norwich after a short, sudden illness. She graced us with 90 years of her life and her love, now basking in God’s warm, loving, compassionate light. Rose was born on March 13, 1934 in New London, CT.  She was a daughter of the late William and Rose (Miceli) Smith. Rose married her beloved husband, Donald Smith, on April 18, 1953. They were married for 71 loving years, knowing each other for 73 wonderful years.

The couple started out their life together in New London CT, moving to Los Angeles, California for a short time. Then, in 1959 they started their life in Colchester, planting their roots where they made their life-long home and raised their beautiful family of multiple generations.  Rose was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of St. Andrew’s Church, where she was also very involved with the Ladies Guild.  She volunteered with the VFW Auxiliary and served as the former Vice President as well as becoming a member of the Colchester Historical Society.  Rose was talented in the arts of ceramics and she shared her craft as a teacher in her own ceramic arts studio named Rose Arts Studio. In her free time, Rose and Donald would go square dancing and truly enjoyed camping with their family in New Hampshire, Maine and New York, as well as traveling the world together.  Rose shared her love in many ways and was a foster mother to four foster children in her life: Maureen, Beetie, Kathy, and Nickie.  

Rose is survived by her husband of 71 years, Donald Smith, her children and spouses, Donald (Jean) Smith of Cranston, RI, Randall (Karen) Smith of Plattsburg, NY, Susan (Kymson) Brazee of Salem, CT, and Jodie (Charles) Veilleux of Colchester, CT: grandchildren Mandy (Patrick), Kymson ‘Bear’ (Rianna), Kevyn (Chelsea), Keyth (JeeSung), Emily Rose (James), Joshua (Erin), Candice, Lindsey, Benjamin, and Tabitha; 21 great-grandchildren and counting, and numerous extended family and friends. Rose was an accomplished woman in every aspect of her life and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday November 24th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and then again Monday morning from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester.  The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Ave. Colchester on Monday, Nov. 25th beginning at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow in New St. Andrew Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Catholic Charities www.catholiccharitiesusa.org  to share a memory of Rose or a condolence message to her family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com