Ester I. Smith (nee Franceschini), 91, a resident of Severna Park, died on February 10, 2013 at Genesis HealthCare in Severna Park.

She was born on December 13, 1921 in Palazzolo, Italy, and was raised in Santa Lucia and Gorizia. She married Austin W. Smith in 1949 in Gorizia, and lived in Kentucky, Germany and Pennsylvania during Mr. Smith's Army career. In 1959, they settled in Glen Burnie before moving to Severna Park in 1973.

Ester enjoyed oil painting, gardening, ceramics and sewing. She was a fan of the Orioles, regularly attending games on Sunday afternoons.

She was a volunteer at Holy Trinity School, now Monsignor Slade Catholic School, and Martin Spalding High School, now Archbishop Spalding. She was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Severna Park. In addition to English and her native Italian tongue, Ester also was fluent in French.

Ester was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Austin W. Smith.

She is survived by her daughter, Janie Ballard (Les) of Glen Burnie; three sons, Robert J. Smith of Monkton, Michael E. Smith (Elaine) of St. Mary's City, and David G. Smith (Kathy) of Catonsville; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park. Interment will follow in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com