Eleanor Marie (Hewett) Smith's Obituary
Eleanor Marie (Hewett) Smith, 84, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on May 23, 2025. Born on August 7, 1940, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Eleanor—known fondly as "El"—made her life there with her beloved husband and best friend, Dick, until 2006. Their home was a vibrant center of family life and friendship, filled with warmth, laughter, and love.
El's greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She was a devoted grandmother, deeply involved in the lives of her five grandsons, each of whom shared a unique and cherished bond with her. Her gentle wisdom, calm spirit, and open heart shaped their lives in immeasurable ways.
A lifelong lover of literature, El had a gift for words and was known for her perfectly timed quotes, many of which passed down the legacy and sayings of her father.
She would often say, “If you can’t be grateful for the little things, how can you be grateful for the big things?” This simple wisdom guided her life.
She was a beautiful soul—calm, gracious, and quietly radiant. One of her favorite childhood memories was growing up on Saratoga Street, where her family lived on the third floor above the Burke family. She would laugh recalling Mr. Burke’s exasperated, yet amused words, “Are those Hewetts ALWAYS happy?!” as she or her siblings bounded up the stairs singing.
After graduating from high school, El worked at Raytheon, and returned years later—at the gentle insistence of her youngest child.
Once their grandchildren were grown, she and Dick split their time between summers on Cape Cod and winters in Florida, savoring the slower pace and each other’s company.
Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Smith, and her sons, George G. Smith and Richard W. Smith, Jr. She leaves behind five beloved grandsons: Richard W. Smith III, Austin Padellaro, Aaron Smith, Noah Smith, and Gregory Emmett. She is also survived by her brother, Peter A. Hewett, Jr. and his wife Eileen; her sister, Ann Marie Sarmanian and her husband John; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved deeply.
She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Richard W. Smith, Sr. and sister her Mary E. Poole.
A private burial ceremony will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.
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