North Hartland, VT - Daun A. Smith, 76, died November 6, 2024, in Concord, NH. She was born June 10, 1948, in Lynn, Massachusetts to Sewall and Norma (Mattson) Smith.

After graduating from the Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing, Daun began a 34-year career at MHMH and later at DHMC. She worked primarily in the Emergency Department. While working full-time, she attended UNH to further her education and in 1991 she received her Master of Science in Nursing. In 1993, the American Nurses Association selected Daun as the Medical-Surgical Nurse of the Year. Daun also contributed to several Nursing Textbooks. In 2003 she decided that it was time for a new direction in her nursing career and accepted a Nursing Professor position at River Valley Community College. She truly enjoyed sharing her lifetime of knowledge with the next generation of nurses. After 14 years of teaching, she decided that it was finally time to retire.

Daun had a true love of animals and always had a couple of rescue dogs in her home.

Beginning at an early age, she had a great interest in religion. Daun was a past member of Rainbow Girls and a current member of Eastern Star and the First Congregational Church in Hartland, also known as the Brick Church. At the time of her passing, she was pursuing her Master of Arts Degree in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Daun is survived by a brother, Gary M. Smith of Canterbury, NH; a niece, Crystal Smith, of Concord, NH; other relatives and friends.

Daun's wishes included a private natural burial in Hartland Village Cemetery. Her friends, co-workers and nursing students are invited to an informal gathering at Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT from 2 until 4pm on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, not to mourn her passing but to celebrate a life well lived. In keeping with Daun's sense of humor and total lack of fashion sense, pajama pants are not only acceptable but encouraged.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Hartland, PO Box 454, Hartland, VT 05048 and online condolences may be expressed at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.