Genevieve Smith

Genevieve Smith
Genevieve (Wroblinski) Smith passed away on August 17, 2006 in New Bedford, Massachusetts after a brief illness. She would have been 91 in October. She was a resident of Taber Street Nursing for the past five years. Gen was married to the late Hon. Luke Smith of New Bedford who was a lawyer, former New Bedford City Solicitor, and judge.

Born in Acushnet, Massachusetts, Gen was the daughter of the late John Wroblinski Sr. who was born in Poland and Antoinette (Arendt) Wroblinski, formerly of New Jersey. They owned and operated Wroblinski Farm Dairy for many years.

Gen attended Long Plains Grammar School in Acushnet and graduated from New Bedford High School. She led the Polish National Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps as Drum Majorette, training a generation of young corps members. Her career included over ten years at Camp Edwards Army Base as a department head during the 1940s and early 1950s. She met her husband while working as a local newspaper reporter. She was one of the first women in Massachusetts to run for public office, campaigning for Common Council in New Bedford in 1936.

After her marriage in 1953, Gen led many fundraising causes including the Building Fund for Bishop Stang High School and the Massachusetts March of Dimes campaign. She also worked as a Census taker for the major effort in 1960. For more than thirty years, she worked tirelessly for Saint James R.C. Church in New Bedford organizing Penny Sales, bazaars, musical revues and other fundraisers. Her cooking was so renowned that people lined up around the block when she cooked for a church function.

Gen will be remembered for her strong, feisty spirit and great dedication to her causes. An avid Red Sox fan, she was delighted to see them win the pennant at last.

Her survivors include her daughter, Bonnie Smith, and her husband, Rodney Allen, of Breckenridge, Colorado; a sister, Ardith Merrill of Windemere, Florida; nine nieces and nephews, and many friends. She also was a sister to the late Helen Wrobleski of Worcester, the late Edward Wroblinski of Cocoa, Florida, and the late John Wroblinski Jr. of Acushnet.

Her funeral arrangements are under the direction of Perry Funeral Home at 111 Dartmouth Street in New Bedford at 10 a.m. on Monday the Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church on Monday at 11 am. Calling Hours will be 4 – 7 P.M. on Sunday