Smith, Alta Clark Delano, 83, died January 22, 2007 at a Bangor healthcare facility. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Alta Jeanne Clarke Delano Smith, 83, our mother, Mama Lano, Grammie, Mimi, and hero, died Monday, January 22, 2007 with her family by her side at a Bangor healthcare facility. She was born June 19, 1923 in Fort Fairfield, to Roy and Belle Clarke.
She was first married to Linwood “Red” Delano with whom she shared businesses on Presque Isle’s historic Hall Street. After Red became Supervisor at Aroostook State Park, she worked with him overseeing the development of that Northern Maine “Eden”, giving their children wonderful opportunities for recreation and growth. Widowed in 1959, she continued to raise their four children and a special nephew by hard work and faith, never wavering and making sure they received nurturing, education, values, and a respect for hard work. After her children were grown, she married M. Stetson Smith with whom she shared her life until his death in 1991. Alta had a successful career in food management and was renowned for her work ethic and high standards. She worked for several area restaurants and managed the food services at University of Maine campuses in Presque Isle and Fort Kent. A wonderful cook, she was known for homemade specialties of oatmeal bread, lasagna and potato candy. She earned formal certification as an Executive Chef in Philadelphia. Always willing to take a challenge, she accepted summer positions at Maine’s historic Camp Natarswi and the University of Maine’s Forestry Camp at Greenland Cove, Princeton. After her retirement, she and Stet spent wonderful time together divided between Presque Isle and their home in Steuben, sharing both places with precious family and friends. A 50 year member of Eastern Star, Lunar Chapter 23, she served as a Past Worthy Matron and was co-founder of the Rainbow for Girls chapter in Presque Isle. She was also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Business and Professional Women’s group. Alta sheltered many over her lifetime, people and animals. Just as she cared for so many, she received wonderful care and support from scores of caregivers later in her life. They became part of her family and helped us guide her through the final stages of her life’s journey with love, humor, patience, and compassion. They will always be in our prayers. The family thanks all who blessed us with caring for her. She loved her God, her family, Aroostook County, the Boston Celtics, and all creatures, great and small. She especially loved animals and the lucky ones who wandered into her path or were left on her doorstep received the tenderness of a mother. An avid lifelong gardener, she always had fresh flowers in her homes. Optimism was her credo and she would never accept the negative. She had a way of making each person she met feel special.
She is survived by her children Roxanna Adams and husband, Raymond of Orrington; Ralph Delano and wife, Christina of North Conway, New Hampshire; Rhonda Delano of Presque Isle; Rosemary Delano-Merritt and husband, David Merritt of Eddington; grandchildren, Kelli Theriault Hutchins and husband, Charles of Bangor; Paige Theriault Ross and husband, Danny, and their daughter, Madison of Bangor; Eban Delano of North Conway, New Hampshire, Joshua Delano of Dover, New Hampshire, Andrew Delano of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Honey Delano and her children, Olivia and Owen of Presque Isle. She is also survived by her sisters Leona “Tick” Allen of Mapleton; Bette Bartlett of Talking Rock, Georgia; brothers Chandler Clarke of West Palm Beach, Florida; Roger Clarke of Chicopee, Mass; a very special nephew, Stephen “Steve” Strauss of New Orleans, Louisiana; and many loved nieces, nephews and friends all over the world. Alta was predeceased by sisters, Vivian Smith, Viva Perry, and Verlie Deane; and husbands, Linwood “Red” Delano and M. Stetson Smith.
This is just “so long”, Mom, not good-bye.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 am Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Church Street, Presque Isle with the Reverend Robert Smith officiating. Friends visited with the family from 10:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the service. A reception to celebrate Alta’s life was held immediately after the service at the Masonic Hall, State Street, Presque Isle.
