Obituary: Margaret Nancy (Rau) Smith, 88, of Beacon Falls

Obituary courtesy of Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home

Margaret Nancy (Rau) Smith

October 31, 1932 ~ August 25, 2021 (age 88)

Beacon Falls- Margaret Nancy (Rau) Smith, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at her home. She was the loving wife of the late Howard C. Smith Sr. Maggie was born in Waterbury on October 31, 1932, daughter of the late George Rau and Alice (Classey) Rau.

Maggie was a graduate from Seymour High School, New Haven State Teachers College and Southern Connecticut State College. Maggie was a lifelong educator. She started her career as a first grade teacher at Laurel Ledge Elementary School in Beacon Falls then continued as a special educator, speech pathologist, and finally retiring as a Supervisor at the O’Brien Learning Center in Seymour.

Maggie was a devoted communicant of St. Michael Church. She worked in various ministries such as a Eucharistic minister, lector, & at the food bank. She was a member of the St. Michael’s Ladies Guild, and received the prestigious Archdiocesan St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation. She was very passionate about volunteering at My Sister’s Place in Ansonia where the proceeds benefit women affected by domestic violence. Maggie was an avid reader, master at word searches and loved traveling to Florida with her friend Angie Taylor. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Maggie is survived by her sons Howard, Martin and his wife Nancy and twin daughters Christine, her husband Tom Feeney and Kathryn and her husband Duane Taylor. She is also survived by her grandchildren Leah, Rachel, Michele, her “adopted” grandson Chad Cahoon, and her great grandchildren Dylan, Michael, Kyle, Eva, Lucie, and Jules.

In addition to her husband and her parents, Maggie was predeceased by her brother Martin Rau and sister Lucille Kogut. Maggie will be remembered for her patience, generosity, and devotion to her faith and family.

Maggie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Vitas HealthCare, especially her “angel” Karen Brown and her nurse Joyce Gorham.

Arrangements: Funeral 10:15 am Tuesday August 31, 2021 from Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck, to St. Michael’s Church, 25 Maple Ave., Beacon Falls, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 pm Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Healthcare 199 Park Rd. Ext., Middlebury, CT 06762 or My Sister’s Place Thrift Store & Donation Center 380 Main St. Ansonia, CT 06401. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com