Helvi Piirainen Smith

BRUNSWICK – Helvi Piirainen Smith, 85, died peacefully at the Hawthorne House in Freeport after a long and progressive illness on Friday, November 26, 2010. A resident of the Norway-Paris area, she was born in West Paris on December 9, 1924, the daughter of Finnish immigrants Kalle and Ella (Niskanen) Piirainen. She was educated in Oxford schools. She was one of three children. Her two twin bothers, Walter and Antti Piirainen, both died tragically at very early ages.

She worked at Wilner Wood Products, Cornwall’s and the Norway Shoe Shop until she retired at the age of 62. She was a long time member of the Finnish-American Heritage Society in West Paris. After retiring, she spent her time visiting the Market Square Nursing Home, visiting her family and traveling with friends on Maine Line Tours. She twice traveled to Finland to visit relatives and friends, trips that were the highlights of her life.

Mrs. Smith was a hard worker, a dedicated friend and a person who loved her family and her heritage. She had a tremendous sense of humor and was loved by all who touched her life. She moved from the Oxford Hills area to Brunswick in 2006 to be closer to her only child, her son Brian. During the past two years, she was a resident at Dionne Commons, which is an assisted living facility in Brunswick.

She was married to Stanley T. Smith, who passed away in 1977. She is survived by her son Brian and daughter-in-law Tricia Smith of Brunswick; grandson, Mark Brian Smith of West Hollywood, CA; granddaughter, Shelby Kavanaugh; her great-grandson, Will Kavanaugh of Topsham; two stepchildren, Ivan Smith of Orlando, FL and Sandra Jacobsen of Crivitz, WI, as well as several step-nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grand children.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services located on Rt. 26 in Oxford at 1037 Main Street on Friday, December 3,  from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 4 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tom Myhre presiding. Everyone is welcome to attend a reception at the Finnish American Society in West Paris located at 8 Maple Street in West Paris at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers and if desired, memorial donations in Mrs. Smith's name can be made to the Finnish American Society at PO Box 294, West Paris, ME 04289. On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

Mrs. Helvi Piirainen Smith Photo:

Mrs. Helvi Piirainen Smith