Norma J. Smith

Norma Jean (Ashford) Smith passed away on July 17, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. She spent her last days on earth with her son, daughter, granddaughter and close friends that are like family. In life, she believed in modesty and pragmatism, she was fiercely independent, enigmatic, stubborn, opinionated, hardworking, and defiant- a rebel rouser in her day and knowing far more about cars than most people ever will— she was even known to race them. She had an unquenchable thirst for literature and a soft heart for the simple pleasures of life: pussy willows, puzzle books, the Celtics, animals, birds, and she had an abnormal gift for spotting four leaf clovers–collecting tens of thousands in her lifetime. When the time came, she was sure of how she intended to leave this life, the way she had lived it: on her own terms. It was a blessing to all of us that she was able to go peacefully and at her time. She will be loved eternally and always missed.

She is survived by her son, Rick Cheney of Wilton, NH and daughter, Deb Jensen of Wilton, NH, 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, a large family of siblings and the Vinton family from Mont Vernon, NH. She was predeceased by her daughter Joan Carter, her son Jeff Calawa and her husband, Gladwin Smith.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes is in charge of the arrangements. Services will be private at the request of the deceased and her family.