ANITA GAENZLER SMART, VENICE, FL, AND AUGUSTA – Anita Gaenzler Smart, of Granite Hill Estates in Augusta and Venice, Florida, passed away on Sept. 6, 2017 after a long and fulfilling life.
Born June 1, 1930 to Anton and Else Simons Gaenzler in Hempstead, NY, she graduated from Hempstead High School with honors in 1948. She attended Trinity College for three years and graduated from Hofstra University in 1952 with a BA majoring in Spanish and minoring in German.
She moved to Maine, where she earned her teaching certificate from Farmington College and later taught school at Lincoln Academy in Augusta and Winthrop Elementary School.
She married her husband of 57 years, Jack Smart, in 1961 and together they raised their family in Readfield. Anita was an active community member serving on the town school board, was a Cub Scout den mother, secretary for the PTA, served on the town budget committee and many other town and community boards and clubs. Anita greatly enjoyed the many hours and days with her friends and family, both in Maine and Florida, playing golf, tennis and bridge. She also enjoyed music and the symphony.
Anita was preceded in death by her son, James W. Smart.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Smart; her daughter, Elizabeth Smart Milliken; her son, Dr. Richard J. Smart and his wife, Cynthia; and her three grandchildren, Luke Milliken, Megan L. Smart and Alison L Smart.
The family would like to express their gratitude to HealthReach Hopsice for the compassion and professionalism extended to them while Anita was under their care.
Friends and family were invited to visit from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11th at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. A celebration of Anita’s life was at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12th at the Manchester Community Church on Route 17 in Manchester. A private family interment followed in Readfield Corner Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions can be made in her name to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or Boys Town National Research Hospitals, c/o Development Office, 555 North 30th St., Omaha, NE 68131.
Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com
