Mrs. Smith, who is serving her 45th year as Librarian was born in Washburn, September 1, 1892, the daughter of Arthur and Betty (Nelson) Umphrey. She attended Presque Isle Normal School and taught school in the Taber, Wade and Whitten Schools in the Washburn area.
Following her marriage she resided in Providence, R. I. She has a daughter, Dorothy, who with her husband, Clarence Fernald, resides in Falls Church, Virginia, two granddaughters, Mrs. Carol Mallory, a sophomore in college and Miss Linda Fernald, a Senior in high school.
Mrs. Smith is active in community affairs, holding the office of Clerk of the Conservative Baptist Church. She teaches a Sunday School class of first and second graders and has taught for many years. She attends the monthly trustee meetings of the local Library Board and also regional library meetings sponsored by the Maine State Library when help in our area. She is a Past Worthy Matron of Coldvale Chapter Order of Eastern Star, of which she was also Secretary for a number of years. She has been organist at the First Baptist Church for many years and was a former Correspondent for the Presque Isle Star Herald. She is President of the Women's Mission Society of the Conservative Baptist Church.
Mrs. Smith has served faithfully as Librarian since 1923 when the Library was in the corner of Woodman's Grocery Store (Now Easler's Hardware store). From there it was moved to a small building next to Easler's which was torn down in 1966. In 1950 The Library was moved into its present building, which was built as a Memorial to Washburn men and women who served in World War I and II. She has worked forty three years alone doing all the work of the Library. Mrs. Myrtle Jardine is now Mrs. Smith's assistant. The library is open every day but Monday in the winter and everyday but Saturday in the summer.
Congratulations to Mrs. Smith for her many years of service to our town.
[August 1968]