Elizabeth M. “Betty” Smith (Kelley)
Of Somerville, formerly of South Boston, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024. Betty was the beloved wife of Emmet F. “Frank” Smith, with whom she shared one of the greatest love stories ever told. They met and lived in Boston, later moving to Glenwood Rd in Somerville where they raised their children. Betty lived there until she was 91.

She was the devoted mother of Elizabeth “Betty” Roche, Thomas Smith, Sr., Diane Smith, the late Emmet F. Smith III, Barry T. Smith, Kelley A. Smith Snell, Barbara J. (Smith) Hennelly, Bertrand Taylor, and John Marshall. She also leaves behind her dear siblings Eddie, Eugene, and Thomas Kelley, Margaret Plansky, and Maureen O’Malley. Betty was predeceased by her siblings Frank Kelley, Mary “Babs” DiGiacomo, Jimmy Kelley, and Kathleen McCarthy. She is survived by many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews, and was predeceased by her cherished grandchildren, Mary Armaiz and Liam Smith. 

Betty was not only a devoted mother to her children but to countless others. She helped raise her siblings, foster kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighborhood kids, nieces, nephews, and even strangers. If you needed a mother or a Nana, she was your girl. She made everyone feel like she loved you the most and that you were her favorite. But no one doubted that her greatest love was always her husband, Frank.

A longtime employee of Jordan Marsh, Betty never passed up an opportunity to use her employee discount and could shop with the best of them. Later in life, she worked at the Franciscan Children’s Hospital alongside her brother Eddie, where she was in her element, talking to people. Whether it was on the phone or in person, she made everyone feel welcomed and heard.

Known as the life of every party, Betty could dance circles around anyone and was even known to throw in a somersault or two on the dance floor. She made everyone she met want to be better and more kind. She loved God and prayed everyday. Her faith never wavered despite many tests and she always counted her blessings. 
She loved making people laugh, her family, all babies, Irish music, Southie, Somerville, Ireland, Costco, the Salvy, chips, ice cream, fire works and winterfresh gum. 

Her great big heart, hugs, humor, the before dinner graces, and her love for everyone will be remembered by all who had the gift of knowing her. 

Visitation will be held at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 146 Dorchester St., SOUTH BOSTON, on Friday, October 11, from 4 to 8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Ann Church, 399 Medford Street, Somerville, on Saturday, October 12, at 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.

For guestbook and directions, please visit http://www.obrienfunerals.com
O’Brien Funeral Home | 617-269-1600