Maxine J Smith (Fischer) 6/24/29 – 02/24/21
Maxine J Smith nee Fischer born on June 24, 1929 in Manhattan, NYC. She was the only child of Gertrude J. and William Fischer. Maxine lived most of her life in Queens, N.Y., Long Island, N.Y., and Jersey City N.J. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College, CCNY, NYC and her Master’s degree from New York University, NYC, NY. She began her career at Domino Sugar in the Chemistry Lab, went on to work for Better Homes & Gardens, Ethan Allen - Corporate, Kellwood, a Division of Sears & Roebuck. She was a professor at F.I.T. NYC, NY, and for most of her adult life was employed as a successful Independent Decorator/Designer of Home and Commercial Interiors in the greater NYC Area as well as in CT (during her semi-retirement). She was a proud and active member in her political party in NJ and in Windham, CT and she served for many years as a volunteer on the board of The Windham Water Works in Mansfield, CT.
She retired to Windham, Connecticut to be near her daughter, son-in-law, and Grandchildren and then later moved to Lebanon, CT. Maxine is pre-deceased by her beloved son Michael J. Slota of N.Y. who left us in 1985 and her beloved husband Edward Smith of N.Y. and her brother Ronald E. Fischer of N.Y. She is survived by daughter Natalie J. Roy nee Stettin; son in law Gregory S. Roy of Lebanon, CT. Grandson Michael C. Roy of Brooklyn, N.Y. Granddaughter Kathryn C. Roy, Grandson-in-law Erich J. Heinonen, Great Granddaughter Emmi Wyatt Heinonen; Great Grandson Olli Boone Heinonen of Mansfield, CT. Brother Stephen F. Fischer; Sister in-law Jean L. Fischer of New York, N.Y., Cousins, and many Dear Friends in NY and CT whom she regarded as her extended family.
Maxine, or Mom-Mom as her grandchildren affectionately called her, was deeply proud of her family… her children, her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. They brought her more joy than anything else in her long and accomplished life. She could spend countless hours listening to her Grandchildren tell stories about their lives while beaming with adoration. Her finest role was that of Great Grandmother. The world would stop revolving when she was in the presence of Emmi and Olli, her Great Grands.
To capture the extraordinary essence and life of Maxine is seemingly an impossible task. She was fiercely independent and a force to reckon with. Maxine was animal rights supporter, lover of all creatures big and small. There was not a time in her life when she did not share her home with a cat and or dog (until she was no longer able to). Maxine loved to have fun with her friends and family, to dance, to sing to the music of Broadway musicals with her extraordinary voice, to cook and to enjoy wonderful cuisine, to travel abroad with her husband, to take cruises with her family, to take long car rides to visit her vacation home in Savannah, Ga and to spend Wintery vacations in Williamsburg Va. She loved to engage in discussion about politics as well as American & European World History.
She was a stunningly fashionable lady and had a timeless sense of style about her. She was a collector of antique jewelry, which she wore almost every day of her life. She was also a collector of fine furniture. Maxine was an incredibly generous person with everyone she knew and met, always prepared to feed a visitor, or just offer a cold drink. She lived life without regret or guilt and her mantra was to “stay true to oneself”. She was as an American Patriot and a True New Yorker. We will miss her physical presence profoundly, but we take solace in knowing that she will always live within us, each and every day.
Her family would like to acknowledge the selfless Nurses, staff and Dr. LaGuardia at The Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation who cared for Maxine in the last years of her life with love, kindness and respect. Thanks to their support, Maxine departed from this life with the grace and dignity she deserved, Frank Sinatra and Classical Music playing, with her devoted family by her side. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Adam Niedelman and his incredibly devoted Nursing staff who lovingly watched over Maxine’s health for many years. While she was a resident at MCNR
she was cared for by Dr. Pam Moore and the Primary Care Nurses from UConn Health, Storrs, CT. She greatly appreciated the care, concern and competence of everyone who cared for her. She loved them all and her family is forever grateful to them…
There will be a celebration to honor Maxine’s life in early June at the home of her daughter and Son in Law, Natalie & Greg Roy in Lebanon, CT. Please email NatalieRoy@sbcglobal.net for details. Thank you sincerely for your understanding as we choose a date that will allow us all to gather safely and enjoyably.
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