Edna Smith

Edna (Mae) Wright Smith, 101 years, of 115 Madison Terrace, Cobleskill, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence on Saturday, February 4, 2017.

Born in St. Johnsville, NY on January 13, 1916, she was the daughter of Erma Ann (Kretser) and Frank Joseph Wright, Jr. Edna graduated valedictorian from Fort Plain High School at the age of 14. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree Class of 1935 in French and Mathematics from New York State College for Teachers at Albany (now SUNY), a member of the Signum Lauder Honor Society, being the second highest in her class. In 1936, she received a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Guidance, first teaching in the Albany College Center. She then taught in Franklinville, Chenango Forks, Warrensburg and later in Richmondville, NY, after moving to Cobleskill. In 1976, she also earned a Master of Library Science Degree from SUNY Albany.

Edna married Elbridge Milton Smith, of Highland Mills, N.Y. whom she met at SUNY, on July 29, 1939 in Fort Plain. While Elbridge was in the Army during WWII, she worked as a mathematician for General Electric's (secret) bombsight projects, in Schenectady. When Elbridge returned from military service, they moved to Cobleskill in 1946 where he took a teaching position at what is now SUNY Cobleskill. He predeceased her December 7, 2008.

Although a homemaker most of her life, Edna taught French and Math before having a family and later substitute taught. She also was the school Librarian at the former Richmondville Central School (Radez) during 1976-78.

She was a 69-year member of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, a past president of the New Century Club of Cobleskill, Chairman of the Cobleskill Cancer Drive, a Girl Scout Council Leader, a member of the Cobleskill and Schoharie County Historical Societies and a library volunteer at the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, N.Y.

Genealogy was her passion, researching and tracing several Revolutionary War ancestors for both her side and Elbridge's side of the family. Eventually she traced Elbridge and then herself back to the Mayflower.

DAR was her love. Edna was a 57-year active member of Captain Christian Brown Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, having served as chapter regent, as well as other offices and chairmanships. She served the NY State Organization as State Director District III, State Chairman of Genealogical Records three different terms, Volunteer Genealogist, NYS Library Coordinator and as a National Vice Chairman of Genealogical Records.

Edna had been an exhibitor at the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair every year since moving to Cobleskill, entering jams, jellies, sewing, baked goods, antiques and flowers. She often was a blue ribbon winner with her entries, as well as earning a Cobleskill Agricultural Society Court of Honor Best of Show ribbon several times for her lilies. This past summer she was recognized and honored by the Fair Society for her 70 continuous years of entries.

Edna supported her husband's many Rotary activities and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2009 by the Cobleskill Rotary Club.

She is survived by her two children: Elbridge W. (Diane) Smith of Kailua, Hawaii and Priscilla (Ronald) Davis of Cobleskill; three grandchildren: Elbridge Z. (Jill) Smith of Kailua HI, Meredith (James) Word of Kaneohe HI, Kyle A. Davis of Cobleskill; and two great-grandchildren, Lane G. Davis of Cobleskill and Liam Ka'eo Word of Kaneohe, HI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edna's memory may be made to the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, 109 Chapel Street, Suite 1, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or SUNY Cobleskill Elbridge M. & Edna W. Smith PTK Scholarship Fund or SUNY Albany Edna Wright Smith Library Scholarship Fund, University at Albany Foundation, UAB 226, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany NY 12222.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, March 18, 2017 ar Cobleskill United Methodist Church, Pastor Pam Mikel-Hayes officiating. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held from 4 PM - 6 PM on Friday, March 17,2017 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, where a DAR service will be conducted at 5:45 PM. Interment will be in the Fort Plain Cemetery in the spring with her husband, next to her parents.