Obituary of Virginia M. Smith

Virginia M. (Paparella) Smith, 89, passed peacefully October 18, 2017 with her loving daughter, Amanda, by her side.

Born in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Michael and Gemma D'Angelo Paparella the family moved to Schenectady, settling in Bellevue.

Virginia married Horace J. Smith Jr. on August 8, 1954. Prior to marrying Horace, Ginny belonged to the Young Adults Council and acted in plays.The couple moved to Alplaus, living out the rest of her lives. Ginny enjoyed arts and crafts, and created unique finger paintings on fabric . Ginny was a lifetime member of the Girl's Scouts of America of NENY where she started as troop leader for her daughters and continued on having her granddaughters in her troop. She was a member of the Alplaus United Methodist Church, and was active with the P.T.A. when her children were kids. At her church she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was a member of the the United Methodist Women and helped with the annual church bazaar. She was leader of the Junior Methodist Youth Fellowship for many years where she was affectionately know as the Village Babysitter. Ginny served as the camp cook at Hiddenlake Girl Scout Camp for 12 years and was given the camp name "Thumper". She was affectionately referred to as Thumper for the rest of her life.  

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved Horace, her brothers, Michael and Bernard Paparella. She is missed by her children: Amanda Rae Smith-Lucier, Horace J. (Patricia)  Smith III and Gemma Fleur Kwiatkowski; her grandchildren: Robert Lucier Jr., Amanda Constance Smith-Lucier, Annemarie Kwiatkowski, Emily Jean Kwiatkowski and Michael James Kwiatkowski and cherished great grandchildren, Deontae and Mia.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2,  at 10 AM  at the Alplaus United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at historic Vale Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Virginia Smith's memory to Girls Scouts of Northeastern NY at 8 Mountain View Avenue, Albany NY 12205 or to the Northeast Kidney Foundation, 501 New Karner Rd.#6, Albany, NY 12205. Online condolences may be expressed at GLENVILLEFUNERALHOME.COM