EGREMONT, Mass. — Stella White Smith, 88, of Egremont, Mass., formerly of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., passed quietly from this world on Thursday, May 31, 2018, with her daughter by her side, ending her eight-year struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Stella leaves behind her daughter, Maureen Smith Drake and husband Robert; her beloved grandsons Clayton Havens and wife Jessica, Jared Havens and wife Kristie, step-grandson Daniel Drake and wife Andrea, step-granddaughters Amber Drake Fabiano and husband Ruda, and Sterling Drake; and great-grandchildren Kaelin Havens, Isabella Havens, Landon Havens, Hunter Havens and Alycia Fabiano.

Stella was born on February 18, 1930, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a daughter of George White and Fannie (Gritlow) White. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School. She married Harold E. Smith of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on February 13, 1949. She worked as a switchboard operator for New York Telephone Company for six years and then went to work for the Poughkeepsie Journal as a switchboard operator. In 1970 she transferred into Classified Advertising then moved on to Display Advertising, where she was a top advertising sales person through the mid 1990s, when she retired.

Stella loved traveling and often took her grandsons Clayton and Jared on great adventures.  Many times she included their great friend Robert Warfel in their travels.  She loved going to Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico, St. Marteen and cruises to anywhere, including Bermuda and Alaska.

Stella loved baking cookies for neighbor’s children, cooking for her grandsons and adopting stray dogs and cats.

Stella was predeceased by her former husband Harold; her parents George and Fannie White; her sister Fannie White Daniels; her brothers, George, William and Joseph White and Martin Crose; her God daughter and niece Dennise Daniels Germano; and several nieces and nephews.

The family is extremely grateful to Kristal Kleavenger for providing the care that allowed Stella to remain at home during the last four years of her illness.

Funeral notice: The family will receive friends on Friday, June 8, 2018, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, Mass. A Memorial Service will be held at 5 p.m. immediately following calling hours.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America may be made through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.