Bertha (Martin) Smith

Bertha (Martin) Smith, 92, of Rocky Hill, died unexpectedly on Saturday evening, June 10 at St. Francis Hospital with her loved ones by her side. Bea was born Jan 25, 1925 at the Speno homestead in Rocky Hill, the second daughter of Frank and Anne (Speno) Martin, and granddaughter of immigrants from the Abruzzo region of Italy. She attended primary grades in Hartford and Wethersfield schools, continuing in the Rocky Hill schools in 1932 where she first met her dear and longest-time friend Vera (Marino) Rowell, who survives her. After graduating from Wethersfield HS in 1942, she began working at the Travelers' as a clerk typist, a career which she continued at Hamilton Standard and then the State Veterans' Hospital in Rocky Hill. She resumed working at Associated (Allied) Grocers as clerk and then buyer until her retirement in 1987. Bea had many interests and activities throughout her life: softball, dancing, cooking, entertaining, sewing, travel, card games, and eventually golf, which she loved until her body no longer allowed her to continue. Her favorite things were being with family and friends, dining out, occasional trips to the casino and card playing. After rehab from a fall in Sept 2015, she moved from her home in which she lived for nearly 50 years to Atria Greenridge Place where she enjoyed the simple comforts of day-to-day life and card games with Pam, Tim, and Martin. She was a lifetime member of St. James Church, Rocky Hill, Professional Secretary’s Association, longtime member of the Stepney Seniors, Columbiettes, and Portland West Ladies' Golf league. Bea leaves her son, Martin of Rocky Hill, his significant other, Timothy Hindman of Concord, NH as well as many cousins and dear friends and card-playing buddies. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Ruth Martin, many aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends, as well as her former husband, Howard. Some of the kind words used to describe Bea by her friends have been: classy lady, forever young, dear, true and faithful friend. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating her life on Sunday, June 18 from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. Funeral services will begin on Monday, June 19 at 9 a.m. at the funeral chapel followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St James Church, 767 Elm St, Rocky Hill. Burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Sandwich Ministry at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 265 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103 or the House of Bread, 27 Chestnut Street, Hartford, CT 06120. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.