India I. (Griffith) Smith

ATHOL -- India I. (Griffith) Smith, 91, formerly of Athol, died on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Sierra Providence Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. India was born in Templeton, on August 25, 1920, the daughter of Harrison W. and Inez E. (Wilder) Griffith Sr. She resided in Athol nearly all of her life, marrying Emerson W. Smith Sr. on March 11, 1938, and together they raised three children. She worked many years as a waitress at the Athol Diner and continued waitressing at Cidar Lodge. India loved working with food, especially cake decorating. She made many wedding cakes and special occasion cakes for her family and friends. Reading cookbooks and couponing were her favorite hobbies. She could take almost anything and make a delicious meal out of it. After her retirement from waitressing, she cared for elderly ladies in her home, lavishing them with her wonderful meals, to enhance their appetite. In 2005, she moved to Fruitland Park, Fla., to live closer to her daughters. In 2010, after the passing of her daughter, Ruth Ann, she moved to El Paso, to live with her son and daughter- in-law. Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughter, Inez M. Kaplan and her husband, Steven of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a son, Emerson W. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Debbie of El Paso; her brother, Harrison W. Griffith Jr. of Orange; seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Smith was predeceased by her parents, by her husband, Emerson Sr.; by her daughter, Ruth Ann LoCoco of Fruitland Park, and by her brother, Perry W. Griffith of Athol. At India's request there were no funeral services. Interment was in the Highland Cemetery, Hillside Terrace, Athol, at the convenience of the family. $(document).ready(function(){ });