Evelyn B. Smith

Evelyn Brucker Smith, 98 years young, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, February 23, 2021 at the Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Connecticut. Mom, Eve, Nana was born January 10, 1923 in Englewood, New Jersey, daughter of the late Wilhelm J. Brucker and Viola Leswing Brucker.

Evelyn was a devoted and loving mother to Thomas H. Smith, Peter B. Smith (predeceased), and Steven Lampe. She was preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor Marie Brucker and her husband of 61 years, Captain Robert Holden Smith. She was beloved Nana to five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Evelyn spent her childhood in Englewood, New Jersey and studied at Columbia University and Pratt Institute of Art in New York City. During WWII she worked for TWA (Trans World Airlines) in customer service. At the 1939 World’s Fair Eve met Captain Robert Holden Smith, an officer and a Master Captain in the Merchant Marine, and they married in 1945. The couple settled in Demarest, Jersey and while Bob Smith’s work took him around the world, Evelyn worked in the Demarest school district in administration. The two remained in Demarest, raising their family and sharing a love of the sea, sailing along the Northeast coastline and rivers.

Eve and Bob retired to a home with views of the sea in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. While in North Carolina, Eve volunteered at the NC State Aquarium, and she proudly gave tours for her children and grandchildren when they visited.

After 20 years in North Carolina, Eve and Bob returned to the northeast to be closer to their children and settled at The Village Gate in Farmington, Connecticut. In their new home, they were surrounded by memories of the sea and their travels together around the world.

Eve will always be remembered for making friends everywhere she lived. She was genuinely interested in the life experiences of others, having written over 50 biographies of residents at The Village Gate, biographies of close friends, and an extraordinary account of her husband’s experiences during WWII, having earned rank of Captain at 25 years old. Eve was intellectually curious her entire life and was an accomplished writer, painter, poet and pianist. She will always be remembered as a strong, creative, compassionate and independent woman.

Evelyn leaves behind many other family members and friends who will miss her wit, charm and intellect.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff and residents at the Village Gate who watched over Mom and provided invaluable friendship and care for many years, enabling her to maintain her independence.

A service to honor Evelyn’s life will be held when COVID related restrictions ease and gatherings are permitted.

In lieu of flowers Evelyn asked that donations be made to Doctors Without Borders, https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Evelyn B. Smith, please visit our Tree Store.