NORTH YARMOUTH — Anna Shirley (Meserve) Smith, 98, of North Yarmouth, died peacefully on Nov. 2.

Smith was born Nov. 22, 1915, in Scarborough, the first child of Nelson and Bertha (Morse) Meserve. Unable to make the daily trip to the town’s high school, she later lived with her aunt and uncle in order to attend Westbrook High School, graduating in 1933.

Smith went on to earn a teaching degree at Gorham Normal School, now the University of Southern Maine, in 1935.

She spent several years on Chebeague Island, teaching school and waiting tables, but eventually began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in North Yarmouth. There, she met her husband, Norman L. Smith. They were married on June 18, 1944, in Scarborough. The couple then built a house in North Yarmouth, where they lived for almost 70 years.

Anna stopped teaching school when she gave birth to twin boys, Norman and Nelson, in 1947. She was a doting mother who always had freshly baked cookies, pies or her “rainbow bars” in the kitchen for her boys, and in later years for her grandchildren.

Smith also enjoyed sewing, rug braiding, crafts, knitting and wearing the color purple. She created many sweaters, mittens and hats for her children and grandchildren.

Smith also took great interest in her community, volunteering for Well Baby Clinics, serving as a registrar of voters, joining the Westcustogo Grange, and becoming one of the early members of the North Yarmouth Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary, in which she served as president for several years.

She was an active member of Cumberland County Extension, and supported 4H activities. She was also an active member of the North Yarmouth Congregational Church, participated for many years in the Women’s Fellowship, and worked on projects for the annual church fair.

Smith is survived by her sons, Norman Lester Smith and wife, Donna, and Nelson Leighton Smith and wife, Candace, all of North Yarmouth; grandchildren, Kent and wife, Alexandra, Andrew and wife, Anne, Craig and wife, Heidi, and Christa Ayer and husband, Lloyd; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Cayden, Sophie, Kendall, Avery, Anderson, Gracin, Norman, Hope and Laci. Also surviving are Smith’s brother, Maynard Meserve, of Gorham; sisters-in-law, Barbara Parker and Norma Smith, both of North Yarmouth, and Arline Calvert, of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

Smith was predeceased on Oct. 9 by her husband, Norman. She was also predeceased by her parents, her brother, Joseph Meserve, and her cousin, Alma Libby, whom she thought of as her sister.

Her family wishes to thank Coastal Manor and Beacon Hospice for their many acts of kindness to her and the family.

Visiting hours were held Nov. 7 at Lindquist Funeral Home, in Yarmouth. A celebration of the lives of Norman and Anna Smith was held Nov. 8 at North Yarmouth Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Yarmouth Congregational Church, 3 Gray Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097.

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Anna and Norman Smith

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