Students fondly remember teacher

Ethel Smith, 85, lived in Monmouth Junction almost all her life and spent 42 years teaching at Deans School.

By: Nick D’Amore
   A woman who dedicated half her life working with children as a teacher died Sunday.
   Ethel Smith, 85, lived in Monmouth Junction almost all her life and spent 42 years teaching at Deans School. Former students remember her as dedicated, but also mild-mannered and quiet.
   "She was outstanding and very dedicated," said Howard Bellizio. "Those four teachers had a lasting effect," he said of the four teaches he had while attending Deans.
   Ms. Smith taught Mr. Bellizio for fifth and sixth grade during the 1940s. After working out some of the math, Mr. Bellizio said, "She was probably just starting out when I had her."
   Mr. Bellizio’s family had a long history with Ms. Smith. Both of his sons, Kevin and Todd, had Ms. Smith as a teacher when they attended Deans.
   Mr. Bellizio’s younger sister, Kathy Laiken, and younger brother, James, also were taught by Ms. Smith.
   "We have a long tradition from when we went to that school," he said.
   Mr. Bellizio kept in contact with Ms. Smith, often talking with her when they would bump into each other at the grocery store.
   According to Audrey Smith, who is married to Ms. Smith’s nephew George, Ethel Smith lived in Monmouth Junction for 80 years and in the same house since she was 11 years old.
   She lived with her mother in that house until her mother’s death in 1983, said Audrey Smith.
   "She was always interested in her family. She was a good one to ask about family history," said Audrey Smith.
   "She also enjoyed talking about her students, some of whom she knew as adults."
   Ethel Smith also was very active in her church, Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church, which she attended since she was a child.
   "She led a simple life. She enjoyed sitting on the porch, watching people and the cars pass by. She was a people person," said Audrey Smith.
   Ethel Smith never traveled much, going only to Michigan and Canada, said Audrey Smith.
   Ethel Smith also enjoyed the old Fourth of July parades that were held in Monmouth Junction for more than 50 years.
   "She enjoyed talking to people along the routes," said Audrey Smith.
   Former students Lois and Lorraine Jones remembered Ethel Smith as mild-mannered.
   "She did her job professionally; she never hollered," said Lois Jones. "She had a very quiet and very low voice. She was pretty steady; she never raised her voice."
   The sisters were in Ms. Smith’s fourth-grade class in the late 1950s.
   Ms. Smith received her bachelor of arts degree in education from Trenton State College. She retired from teaching in 1979, spending almost her entire career at Deans. Toward the end of her life, Ms. Smith resided at the Cranbury Care Center-Genesis in Monroe Township.
   She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ruth C. Smith of Cranbury; two nephews and their wives, George B. and Audrey Smith and Charles L. and Ann Smith, all of Cranbury; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
   The funeral will be held today (Thursday) at M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, Monmouth Junction, followed by burial in Dayton Cemetery.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church, Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852; or to the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 5, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852.