Ella F. (Stapley) Smith, 89, of Hawthorne Road, died Monday, May 30, 2011 in UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus, Worcester, after being stricken ill at home. Her husband of 52 years, Robert “Red” A. Smith, died in 1998.

     She was born in Holyoke, daughter of William R. and Mary C. (Gaten) Stapley, and lived in Fitchburg before moving to Holden in 1953. She was a graduate of Fitchburg High School and worked as a chief clerk for New England Telephone during World War II. Later in life, she was a lunch room monitor at Dawson Elementary School for seven years in the 1970’s. She was a member of St. George’s Church in Worcester.

     Ella leaves her daughter with whom she lived, Sandra “Sandy” J. Smith; a son, Gary A. Smith of Hauppauge, Long Island, NY; two sisters, Ruth Millis of Cashiers, NC and Mary Louise Haywood of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren, Brent, Jeffrey and Gregory Smith; and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Claire Raatikainen and Edna Robuccio, both of Fitchburg, predeceased her.

     Ella’s family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses in I.C.U. and the 3 East Units at UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus for their care and compassion.

     A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 3rd, in St. George’s Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. Burial will be private in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Donations in her memory may be made to Catholic Television Network (CatholicTV.com), P.O. Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.