NORWICH – Alva D. Smith, 80, of Peacock Park Manor, Norwich, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Saratoga Springs.
The daughter of Lewis and Angie (Figary) Follett, Alva was born in New Berlin in May of 1927. Growing up in the Chenango Lake area, she attended and graduated from the South New Berlin schools. Alva and her husband, Raymond G. Smith, were married in Great Bend, Pa., on July 30, 1950. For numerous years, Alva worked as a billing clerk for the Norwich Pharmacal Company, retiring due to a health issue in the mid-1970s. Not one to be idle, and having a great fondness for children, Alva took up babysitting in her home. She and Ray were among the first tenants to move into the newly opened Peacock Park Manor in 1977, and she remained there for the remainder of her years. In her later years, Alva was able to indulge in her love for travel, seeing many parts of the country with Judy and her family.
Alva is survived by her children: Judith “Judy” Aronstamm and husband Grady of Saratoga Springs, Steven Smith and wife Gina Gentile of Cohoes, and Gayle Tosh and husband James of Clarks Summit, Pa.; by her grandchildren: Amy Scruton and husband Christopher of Mission Viejo, Calif., Emily Bergmann and husband Achim of Louisville, Kent.; Noah, Sophia, and Jacob Smith of Cohoes; Christopher Tosh and wife Jacqueline of Wind Gap, Pa., Matthew Tosh and fiancee Aubrey Pieper of Boston, Mass., and Amanda Tosh of Clarks Summit; and by her great grandchildren, Meghan and Ian Scruton. She is also survived by her sisters: Ola Scripture and Reba Cummings, both of Norwich, and Norma L’Hommedieu and husband Harry “Jack” of Altamont; nieces and nephews; and by her “granddog,” Boomer.
Alva was predeceased by her husband, Ray, on April 30, 1998; and by her sisters and brother: Florence Dain Youngs, Nora Edwards, and Roy Follett.
Graveside services for Alva will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Glenn Mahaffey, rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, will officiate.
There will be no calling hours.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815; or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.