Eva Muller Smith

June 21, 1921 – February 18, 2019

After a long, often challenging and generous life, Eva Muller Smith died at home surrounded by her family in Hartford Vermont on February 18, 2019.  She was 97, a congregant of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley and an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 50 years. Eva was raised in Nanuet (Rockland County) NY and lived her early adult life in New York City. As wife and mother in the 50's, 60's and 70's she lived in New York and New Jersey...before  coming to the Upper Valley 45 years ago. She lived in Haverhill, NH. Hanover, NH and Hartford, VT.

She was a stained glass artist, mother to a family of eight, a gardener, an avid reader of mysteries, and - for a lucky few - a loyal, thoughtful friend. She loved language and all sorts of word play, a character trait she shared with her family. She was an expert baker of birthday cakes and Christmas stollen. She had a great appreciation for the foods of her German heritage: mustards, vinegars, dense pumpernickel breads. But she also loved finding and trying new recipes. Eva was also an accomplished seamstress. She passed on her love for creativity to all her children.

Social responsibility was a constant theme for Eva. Ecology and conservation were interests all her life. She was ahead of her time in her particular passion for recycling. She was concerned about inequality of opportunity and basic quality of life due to poverty and prejudice, especially for women. She felt public libraries were important equalizers for people who wanted education and enrichment for themselves and their families. She enjoyed meeting, working and exchanging pleasures with anyone who was trying to make their corner of the world a better place. Across the Upper Valley the people who got to know her loved her for her distinctive combination of dry wit and compassion, and they admired her for her grit and strength.

In recent years, going to the Norwich Farmers Market was a regular pleasure. Throughout her life she enjoyed good fresh food, rural settings, musical performances, visual arts, and was always interested in other people's creative work. She prized her independence.  Over the years, she gave back to the communities she lived in as a library trustee, fundraiser, volunteer. She committed most effort to 12 step programs and providing access to them. Well into her 70s she was involved with the Freedom from Hunger Foundation which empowered women in rural areas of under developed countries. She travelled to Bolivia to better understand conditions there.

She was predeceased by her daughter Anne, grandchildren David and Jenna, brothers John, Bob and Earhart, sister Monica.  She is survived by her children and their families: Helen, Anthony and Darlene, Katherine, George, Bonne and Carlos, Charles and Brenda, Dana, David Bradford. Grandchildren: Tara Ann Davis-Thompson, Trevis (Davis) Charlie, Kayla, Megan, and Abby (Smith) Eva, Eleanor and Dan (Bradford), Laura (Smith-Hansen) Benjamin and Nathan (Smith). She was very special and her family and friends loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held March 2, at 4PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley, #320 US-5, Norwich, VT 05055.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the following causes are appreciated:

The public library of your choice

Grameen Foundation /Freedom from Hunger

1400 K Street, NW, Suite 550
Washington, DC 20005

https://grameenfoundation.freedomfromhunger.org/

Little Hill Foundation/Alina Lodge

PO Box G

61 Ward Road,

Blairstown, NJ 07825

http://www.alinalodge.org