Sr. Mary Lou Smith, DHS

1932 – 2022

Windham – Sr. Mary Lou Smith, DHS, 90, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on July 13, 2022 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT where she had been in residence since 2017.

Born on February 5, 1932, in North Providence, RI, the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Soucy) Smith, the 14th of 15 children, Sr. Mary Lou entered religious life in 1950 and made her religious profession on August 18, 1953 at the Provincial House in Putnam, CT.  She was then known as Sr. Rose Augustin.  She earned a B.A. from Diocesan Sisters’ College, South Woodstock, CT and served as a teacher and a principal most of her religious life. Later she served as a Nurse’s Aide.

Her teaching assignments included St. Joseph School, Burlington, VT; St. Mary’s School, Putnam, CT; Notre Dame School, Pittsfield, MA; St. Joseph School, Waterbury, CT; St. Brendan School, New Haven, CT; All Saints School, Anniston, AL; St. James School, Gadsden, AL; All Hallows School, Moosup, CT; St. Anthony and St. Augustine Schools in Bridgeport, CT; St. Matthew School, Cranston, RI and St. Bernard School, Fitchburg, MA.  After earning her CNA certification, Sr. Mary Lou went on to work at Villa St. Joseph, Putnam, CT and Holy Spirit Provincial House, Putnam, CT.  She was a Home Health Caregiver at Lifetime Medical in Pawtucket, RI in 1995.  After retiring in 1999 and Sr. Mary Lou went to Anniston, AL where she volunteered to work among the poor at All Saints Parish.  She retired to the Provincial House in 2003 and joined the community at St. Joseph Living Center in 2017.

Sr. Mary Lou is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates. She is also survived by her sister Sr. Eileen Smith, DHS and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Austin, Paul, Ralph, Joseph, Gerald, Noel, James, and Thomas and by her sisters Marie, Ruth, Theresa, Janet, and Claire.

Calling hours will be on Monday July 18, 2022, beginning at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish/St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT with a prayer service at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.