Regina Smith

RUTLAND - Regina "Gina" C. Smith, 86, of Rutland passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by love on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Gina was born on July 6, 1938 to Reginald and Evelyn (Chase) Cameron. She grew up on a pastoral farm in North Easton, MA with four sisters and one brother. Milking cows, collecting eggs and plucking chickens with her father were some of her favorite childhood memories. The simple pleasures and hard work of farm life formed her strong foundation of independence, self-sufficiency and common sense. It also influenced her love of healthy food, nature and animals.

She spent her childhood summers in Edgecomb and Boothbay Harbor, Maine with relatives, and her connection to that special area continued throughout her life. It would eventually be where she met her husband Philip at a dance at the Merry Barn. After graduating high school, Gina's aunt and uncle hired her as their personal assistant in their advertising business overseas. That early life experience living in another country and being exposed to other cultures profoundly shaped her views of the world, and her interest in travel.

Gina married Philip Smith in 1961 and together they grew their family with the birth of their three children, Cameron, Douglas and Melissa. They moved to Ashburnham, MA in 1973 and were married for 46 years, until Philip's passing. They shared the pleasures of gardening and grew just about every vegetable under the sun. Gina was a canning queen and would preserve tomatoes, dill pickles, jams, peaches, and her famous "garden special". Her raspberry-peach jam was the best!

She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in local choirs and chorales for decades. Classical music was her favorite, and you could always hear it playing in the background of her house. Singing brought her great joy and dear friendships. She shared the gift of her voice with her beloved church community for years.

Gina was no slouch. Laziness was a pet peeve. She was a do-er and a learner and she made things happen. Up and ready each day, properly dressed with hair and makeup done - even when gardening. She took pride in her appearance and her health. She was a working girl and spent the majority of her career at area hospitals in Human Resources, and she remained in the workforce long past retirement age. She genuinely enjoyed working and the camaraderie of her peers. She was a highly respected and well-liked employee wherever she worked.

She was the rock of the family, the most selfless and generous person, always willing to help with anything. She felt that if she had the means to help, she would. And she did. She made sure her children and grandchildren were taken care of, and she was the primary caretaker of her grandchildren after their parents divorced. When her children were young, she would whip out her sewing machine and create fashionable outfits for them. No sweat! She made whimsical birthday cakes. Awesome lunch box lunches. Delicious homemade meals. Baked her heart out over the holidays. Always gave things her special touch. She had a natural sense of fun and enjoyed creating happy and joyful moments with those she loved. She traveled throughout her life and was the perfect travel partner, including epic road trips with her daughter all across the United States. Thoughtful and kind, reliable and genuine, patient and loving, fun and easy. Her unassuming nature earned her many loyal friends and admirers. She was a pleasure to be around and had a smile for everyone.

The real hallmark of Gina's personality was her quiet inner strength. She endured some tough losses and challenges, and always faced adversity with courage and determination. When she had every good reason to fall apart, she didn't. She forged ahead with physical fortitude and positive thinking. The power of positive thinking, family and friends, music, staying active and faith kept her strong. In her later years she took up hiking with a fellow companion, and those were some of the best times for her, exploring trails all over the Monadnock region. For someone who was fond of dainty feminine shoes, this adventure opened up her world in a wonderful new way.

She is predeceased by her husband of 46 years Philip Smith, her parents, Reginald and Evelyn Cameron, her son Cameron Smith, her siblings, Norman Cameron, Natalie Kimball, Nancy Baca and Evelyn Worster.
Gina is survived by her children, Melissa Smith-Caswell and her husband Russell of Hamilton, and Douglas Smith and his wife Christine of Rutland, her sister, Janice Fuller of Richmond, CA, her grandchildren, Taima Smith, Cameron Smith and Alexander Smith.

She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her, and she lived a full life true to her values. Gina would want her legacy to reflect those values, rooted in life's simple pleasures. The world was a better place just by having her in it.

A private burial at sea will be held at the convenience of the family in Maine.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations in Regina's name to a nature or animal charity of your choice.