A woman of faith who enjoyed cooking, dancing and music

NORTH READING — Elsie  M.  (Kingsbury) Smythe, 97, of North Reading, passed away at her home peacefully on her heavenly journey on Sunday, July 24, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles W. “Ted” Smythe.

Born in Everett on June 26, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Homer A., Sr. and Sarah C. (O’Hanley) Kingsbury. She was a graduate of Somerville High School. She worked for Sears, Roebuck and Co., in Boston, for many years and later for the Harvard Coop in Cambridge. Elsie was a resident of North Reading since 1979 and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

She enjoyed cooking for her family, dancing at Mosleys by the Charles, and all kinds of music. She was very devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary. Elsie was grateful for the loving care she received from her son Dan and his wife Barbara.

Family members include her sons, Daniel F. Lynch, Sr. and his wife Barbara of Medford and the late Richard J. Lynch; her brother, Homer Kingsbury of Somerville; daughters-in-law, Susan Lynch of Riverside, California and Joanne Smythe of Alabama; brother-in-law, Robert Litchfield of Florida; late siblings: Eve Kane, Virginia Manning, Audrey Litchfield and John Kingsbury; 10 loving grandchildren, Andrea, Richard, Kathy, William, Sarah, Jason, Kevin, Kara, Jaime and Danny Boy; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Thursday, July 28 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading. Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9929.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.