Obituary
Glenna Boyle Smith, age 97, of State College, died on October 27,
2024.
Glenna was born to William and Grace Bennett Boyle on their farm
in Gill, MA, on January 19, 1927. She graduated from Turners Falls High School
in 1944, and from Tufts University in 1948 with a BA in English and minors in
History and Teaching. Her first teaching job was in Springfield, VT. She earned
a masters degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught for ten
years in Springfield, MA, where she met Warren H. Smith. They married in 1963
and moved to Mason, OH, where they had two children, Susan and Eric. The family
ultimately settled in Marietta, OH.
Glenna taught for 20 years at Warren Elementary School in Warren
Twp., OH. Having taught students from high school down to third grade, she
retired after 33 years.
Glenna was a world traveler, visiting 20 countries. She spent
several summers in Europe and one in Mexico in the 1950s and early 1960s. She
travelled widely in the US, including trips to Alaska and Hawaii. She
especially enjoyed trips to Cape Cod. Once retired, she resumed trips to
Europe.
An avid reader, Glenna enjoyed discussing books. She would share
her long list of novels read each year with her holiday card. Glenna was a
member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Marietta and in State
College since moving there in 2002.
Glenna is survived by her daughter, Susan Bennett Smith,
son-in-law, David Weiss, both of State College, and grandchildren: Eric, Lauren
and Alison Weiss. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her
ex-husband, and her son, Eric Hale Smith, at age 17.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Centre County in State College.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions in Glenna’s memory may be made to the Sierra Club.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the
family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com