Ann Travers Smith
d. April 12, 2020
Ann Travers Smith
ROCHESTER: On Easter Sunday April 12, 2020, Ann "Annie" Travers Smith passed away after a long illness at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NH. Annie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of the late James Travers and Mary "May" Geraghty. She grew up in the tenements of the Gorbals, and even though her family had "buck all" she called this the happiest time in her life.
In Dunoon, Scotland, Ann met and fell in love with an American in the US Navy. She moved to his hometown in rural Rockingham County, a definite culture shock from the city she loved so much. They wed and began raising their family; however, the marriage did not last, and soon she found herself alone to raise their two young children. Stranded and still grieving the loss of her marriage, Ann faced no income, no mode of transportation, and eventually no place to live, but what she did have was strength and determination.
With the help of dear neighbors and new friends, Ann managed to put one foot in front of the other for the sake of her family and the everlasting perspective that others had it worse than her. She acquired her SSI and learned to drive. Over the years, her self-reliance allowed her to fix her own car or anything else that broke. Annie applied for a job at the University of New Hampshire as a housekeeper, and for over 30 years, she worked in various academic and residential halls at UNH receiving numerous recognition for her dedication and attention to detail. She lived at various times in Nottingham, Northwood, Strafford and Durham, NH.
A right Glaswegian, Annie was gregarious and kindhearted, and she enjoyed numerous friendships with faculty, staff and students as well cherishing her close friends and family. She was gifted with compassion and empathy, gladly listening to others and helping them through their own situations. Even during her illness, she still would go out of her way to help others. Annie loved to sing and dance, and you could often find her singing to her favorite music.
Annie never lost her thick brogue, and through all the hardship, she retained her fantastic sense of humor. She had many Scottish expressions and jokes, which her family and friends will fondly cherish. She took great pride in being Scottish and of her heritage. Upon retirement, her plan was to return to Scotland. She was a right tea Jennie as she would say, "You cannae beat a nice hot cuppa tea." If it weren't tea that would solve your problems, a wee bit of cheese on toast might help. At the end of the day, she would quote her father saying, "Nothing beats your kip (own bed)." She enjoyed long walks and meandering country drives with her son, James, talking and listening to music. When she heard one of her favorites, she would react earnestly with such excitement, tears and a smile repeating how much she loved that song. She also found joy growing indoor plants and wee flowers in the garden. She loved the innocence in life found in animals and weans (children). The wee darlins. Her hugs and hand squeezes were the best. Her laugh and her antics were infectious. She was truly one of those Great Scots.
In addition to her parents Jimmy Da and Wee May, Ann was predeceased by her two brothers Jim and John. She leaves behind two children Natalie and James, grandchildren Devyn, Tristyn and Cole, great-granddaughter Adryanna, her sisters Mary (Greg) and Kathleen (Doug), her close niece Chantelle as well as other nieces and nephews and special friends Ellen, Rhonda and Wendy.
Her one wish was to return home to Scotland, and her children will see that she does. Her family wishes to thank the healthcare staff at Frisbie Hospital for their care and support. There will be a remembrance of Annie's life later this year.
Donations in Annie's honor can be made to the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, where the impact will be immediate to help those poor wee creatures she would so often try to save. https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/
Ann often quoted a line from Scottish poet Robbie Burns, and it only seems fitting now. "Here's tae us; wha's like us? Damn few and they're aw deid."
In Dunoon, Scotland, Ann met and fell in love with an American in the US Navy. She moved to his hometown in rural Rockingham County, a definite culture shock from the city she loved so much. They wed and began raising their family; however, the marriage did not last, and soon she found herself alone to raise their two young children. Stranded and still grieving the loss of her marriage, Ann faced no income, no mode of transportation, and eventually no place to live, but what she did have was strength and determination.
With the help of dear neighbors and new friends, Ann managed to put one foot in front of the other for the sake of her family and the everlasting perspective that others had it worse than her. She acquired her SSI and learned to drive. Over the years, her self-reliance allowed her to fix her own car or anything else that broke. Annie applied for a job at the University of New Hampshire as a housekeeper, and for over 30 years, she worked in various academic and residential halls at UNH receiving numerous recognition for her dedication and attention to detail. She lived at various times in Nottingham, Northwood, Strafford and Durham, NH.
A right Glaswegian, Annie was gregarious and kindhearted, and she enjoyed numerous friendships with faculty, staff and students as well cherishing her close friends and family. She was gifted with compassion and empathy, gladly listening to others and helping them through their own situations. Even during her illness, she still would go out of her way to help others. Annie loved to sing and dance, and you could often find her singing to her favorite music.
Annie never lost her thick brogue, and through all the hardship, she retained her fantastic sense of humor. She had many Scottish expressions and jokes, which her family and friends will fondly cherish. She took great pride in being Scottish and of her heritage. Upon retirement, her plan was to return to Scotland. She was a right tea Jennie as she would say, "You cannae beat a nice hot cuppa tea." If it weren't tea that would solve your problems, a wee bit of cheese on toast might help. At the end of the day, she would quote her father saying, "Nothing beats your kip (own bed)." She enjoyed long walks and meandering country drives with her son, James, talking and listening to music. When she heard one of her favorites, she would react earnestly with such excitement, tears and a smile repeating how much she loved that song. She also found joy growing indoor plants and wee flowers in the garden. She loved the innocence in life found in animals and weans (children). The wee darlins. Her hugs and hand squeezes were the best. Her laugh and her antics were infectious. She was truly one of those Great Scots.
In addition to her parents Jimmy Da and Wee May, Ann was predeceased by her two brothers Jim and John. She leaves behind two children Natalie and James, grandchildren Devyn, Tristyn and Cole, great-granddaughter Adryanna, her sisters Mary (Greg) and Kathleen (Doug), her close niece Chantelle as well as other nieces and nephews and special friends Ellen, Rhonda and Wendy.
Her one wish was to return home to Scotland, and her children will see that she does. Her family wishes to thank the healthcare staff at Frisbie Hospital for their care and support. There will be a remembrance of Annie's life later this year.
Donations in Annie's honor can be made to the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, where the impact will be immediate to help those poor wee creatures she would so often try to save. https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/
Ann often quoted a line from Scottish poet Robbie Burns, and it only seems fitting now. "Here's tae us; wha's like us? Damn few and they're aw deid."
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