ILION - Lucille Elizabeth Holden Smith, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep from complications of COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Lucille was born in Syracuse NY, to parents Arlean Harris Holden and Emory Lord Holden on March 13, 1926. She attended Auburn High School where her father taught Typing and Journalism. Her mother was an active member of the Eastern Star and taught Lucille many things, including an apple pie tradition that lives on in the kitchens of her children and grandchildren! Her early years in the Finger Lakes and camping in the Adirondack Mountains created a strong love for the environment and outdoor living. One of Lucille’s big claims to fame was swimming all the way across Skaneateles Lake as a teenager! While studying to be a dietician at Cornell University, Lucille met fellow Cornelian Bill Smith. Bill believed strongly in “young love” and he found it listening to the songs of the wood thrush on campus with his “Lucy-doo.” They had 65 wonderful years together. Cornell was a touchstone of their lives as they married in 1948 and spent their first year in her AOΠ Sorority cottage. Through the years they visited frequently when their youngest son Donald was a student and attended many CAU (Cornell Adult University) travel courses, continuing their life-long love of learning and exploration of nature. In their later years, Cornell Reunions also became one of their favorite activities. Family was always a priority for the Smiths. Bill supported the family as he built up his “R.L.Smith and Son Insurance Agency,” while Lucille kept the children happy and healthy at home. She sewed clothes, was a terrific Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and grew beautiful roses. When the older children grew up and moved out, she also contributed to the family business, serving as the insurance agency’s bookkeeper for many years. Church was always a constant: The Smiths were members of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, St. James the Just in Franklin Square, Christ Church in Stewart Manor and most recently Emmanuel Church in Little Falls. Bill and Lucille were frequent members of the choir (at times under the direction of teenage daughter Martha) and Lucille even served briefly as the church organist. One of Lucille’s biggest projects was designing the fabulous kitchen in St. James the Just’s parish hall. It was beautiful and functional, a testament to all of Lucille’s hard work. Music was also a constant: Lucille sang not only with her church choirs but also became a cherished member of the Alto section in the Mineola Choral Society (conducted by grown-up daughter Martha). Lucille was a wonderful mother, providing four children with a strong family core and a love of cooking, nature, health, music, and the outdoors. All of the children and grandchildren live by these ideals and are so grateful for the beautiful family life she made possible. Grandma and Grandpa truly enjoyed the next generation, attending hockey games, twirling exhibitions, marching band parades, graduations and lacrosse games whenever possible. While supporting children and celebrating friendships, Lucille and Bill traveled to places such as England, Arizona, and Peru (with scientist son Donald), Vienna (with musician daughter Martha), the Canadian Rockies (with friends the O’Connors), Greece (with cousin Athena Lord), Florida (with friends the Pizors and the Drabs) and the beautiful Delaware River (with son David). Lucille loved the Adirondack Mountains with a passion that started during her childhood days of camping at Lake Eaton. She and Bill took their family almost every year to Lake Eaton and helped instill the love of the outdoors in all their children and grandchildren. They joined daughter Patricia for the final chapter of their outdoor life when they acquired a camp at Pine Lake in the Adirondacks. Their love of the Adirondacks will run full circle as she has chosen this as her final resting place. After retiring to Ilion in 2008, Lucille created a beautiful home and did a wonderful job of caring for her husband Bill through his final years of Parkinson’s until his death in 2013. In addition, she remained an avid supporter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, channeling her love of nature through the Project Feederwatch backyard bird counting program. She was also a valued member of the Helping Hands Prayer Quilt ministry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Willard F. Smith, Lucille is survived by her children: David H. Smith (and wife, Joan), of Merrick, NY, Martha S. Regelmann and Patricia LaFontaine of Ilion NY and Donald Brightsmith (Gabriela), of College Station TX; grandchildren, Melanie Sandquist (Aaron), Keith Regelmann, Michael Smith (Kristin), Katie Smith (Mike) and Amanda Lucile Brightsmith; great-grandchildren, Luke and Jack Sandquist; sister-in-law, Miriam Hardy; and nieces and nephews Bridget, Georgia, Rob, Ruth, Jim, and Clara. The family is very grateful for the kind, compassionate care our “Lucy” received since August 2019 at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Mohawk Valley, in Ilion, NY. Even when face-to-face visitation was no longer possible due to COVID, they facilitated window visits when possible as well as regular Facetime conversations. The Grand staff also did a marvelous job of managing the continuous stream of mail that came in daily as the family did all they could to stay connected. As a continuation of her humanitarian and environmental concerns, Lucille would have been grateful for any donations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca NY or Emmanuel Episcopal Church, in Little Falls, NY. A celebration of her life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, in Little Falls, NY, when it is safe to do so. Funeral arrangements for Lucille have been entrusted to the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe St., Little Falls, NY, Funeral Directors Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia (315-823-2424). Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.