2022 -- H 7054

========

LC003205

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CLAIRE MADONNA

SMITH

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kennedy, Ackerman,
McNamara, Fenton-Fung, O'Brien, Edwards, Casey, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Claire

Madonna Smith, the beloved wife for fifty-eight years to the Honorable Matthew J. Smith, former

Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was the daughter of the late Maurice and Doris Crepeau, sister

of Normand and Paul Crepeau and the late Ronald Crepeau-Cross, and sister-in-law of Rose Ellen

Reynolds. She was an honors graduate of St. Claire’s High School in Woonsocket and had been

employed for many years as a skilled phlebotomist at St. Joseph Hospital; and

     WHEREAS, For many years, Mrs. Smith created a home that was both warm and happy

and artistically beautiful. She doted on her children, Matthew and his wife, Donna, Andrew and

his wife, Amy, Daniel and his wife, Karalyn, and Kathleen and her husband, Matthew. She was

also blessed with nine grandchildren, Ryan, Declan, Cormac, Owen, Kieran, Abigail, Kristiana,

Daniel, and Marie Claire, who affectionately called her "Good Memere" in honor of her French-

Canadian heritage; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was devoted to her faith and had served the Catholic community

at St. Matthew School and Church, St. Francis Chapel, and the Church of St. Augustine, where

she taught CCD to elementary school children. In addition, she was a strong advocate for

"conscientious and compassionate" care for the elderly; and

     WHEREAS, The most fitting tribute to Claire Smith would be a celebration of her life

and the woman she once was. A woman who had enjoyed cross-country skiing, traveling,

painting and drawing, and a woman who lived each and every day fully and joyfully, and was

fortunate to have always had the total love and support of her husband and family; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Claire Madonna Smith. She will be joyfully

remembered and dearly missed; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly a certified copy of this resolution to The Honorable Matthew J. Smith and Family.

========

LC003205

========

LC003205 - Page 2 of 2