Obituary of Lettie Davidson-Smith

Lettie B. Davidson-Smith Born on October 5, 1943, passed peacefully into God's arms on March 8, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary disease. Lettie was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Janet Grace Struble; her loving life-long partner, Lanis ("Jake") Smith; and her siblings, Donald Updyke, Victor Updyke, William Updyke, Buddy Updyke, Thomas Struble, and Bertha Struble North. She is survived by her three daughters, Donna Perry (Eugene) of Barre, VT; Janet Davidson Freeman of Elmira, NY; and Rebecca Brueckner (Michael) of Wilkes Barre, PA; step-son, Sheldon K. Smith (Jonelle) of Orchard Park, NY; and seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her special companion, Otis. Lettie devoted 37 years to Arnot Ogden Medical Center, where she was well known for her tireless work ethic and compassion while comforting thousands of patients in the coronary care and intensive care units, and also for her many years of service as an elected Unit Director, Assistant Vice President, and Vice President of AFL-CIO, CWA Local 1111. After retiring in November 2005, she remained active in her communities, making blankets for disabled veterans and working on other small but personal projects for various charities. Lettie was a beautiful spirit inside and out, always there to help anyone and everyone who knew her, and even many who didn't. She will be dearly missed. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of Water and Walnut Sts., on Friday, March 12th, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Her funeral services will be held Saturday, March 13th, at 9:30 a.m., at the funeral home with committal prayers and interment to immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira.