Hudson – Irene Marie (Almeida) Smith, 82, of Hudson, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at her home Sept. 26, 2018. She leaves behind her companion and former husband, Joseph (Dick) Smith.
Irene was born Jan. 9, 1936 in Rhode Island, the youngest of three daughters to Adelino and Elsie Virginia Almeida. She was raised in Cranston, R.I., where she attended high school, but had to withdraw to help support her family after the untimely deaths of both her father and oldest sister, Hazel. Irene later earned her GED in Rome, N.Y.
While Irene devoted her life to her family and enjoyed nothing more than family get-togethers, she had a zest for life that showed in her contributions to many community groups. She sang for 50 years in the St. Michael’s choir, sang with the River’s Edge Chorale and Sounds of Stow, taught CCD at St. Michael’s for 30 years, and belonged to the Catholic Daughters. She was a friend of both the Hudson and Marlborough libraries, as well as a member of both the Hudson and Marlborough historical societies and the Hudson Arts Alliance.
Irene is also survived by two sons, Stephen Smith and his wife Diane of Hudson and Kenneth Smith and his wife Carolyn of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.; grandchildren Caitlin Smith of Leominster and Brian Smith of Marlborough; step-grandchildren Craig Souza and his wife Anna of Lancaster, Tristen Ladden and her husband Pat of West Boylston, Crystal Vera of Lake Worth, Fla., and Kirsten Vera of New York City; great-grandson Jace Smith; great-step-grandsons Cody, Tyler, Luke, and Shane Ladden, and Maxwell Souza; niece Linda Bessette and nephew William Bessette; and many cousins. In addition to her parents and oldest sister, Irene was predeceased by her sister Carolina Bessette and her daughter Deborah Ann Smith.
Relatives and friends are invited to commemorate Irene’s life during calling hours Thursday, Oct. 4, from 4-7 p.m., at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m., at Saint Michael Parish, 21 Manning St., Hudson, followed by interment at Forestvale Cemetery in Hudson.
