Florence Smith

Florence M. Smith, age 87, of Erie, was born on May 25, 1927 and died August 12, 2014 after a brief illness.

Florence received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Villa Maria College and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Case Western Reserve.

She served the Erie community from 1949 through 1996 as a librarian with the Erie Public Library. Many people will remember her 35 years as Children’s Librarian at the Main Library on Perry Square. During the 1960’s she was instrumental in the development of several public library branches in the city schools. While her career included time as both branch manager and reader’s advisor, her passion was library service to children and she completed her library service once again as manager of the Children’s Library. After retirement Florence continued her work with children’s literacy as a founding member of Hooked on Books for Kids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward R. and Irene Tisdale Smith and her brother Edward Raymond.

Florence is survived by many dear friends and colleagues, especially Emlynn and Pedro Radomski and Patricia Sharrer as well as the thousands of book-loving children who passed through the magic portal into Florence’s Children’s library.

Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 602 West Tenth Street, Erie, Pa. 16502 on Thursday, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM pm and are invited to services there on Friday at 11:00 am with The Reverend Dean Downey officiating. Burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Erie Regional Library Foundation, 160 East Front Street, Erie, Pa. 16507 or to Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary 5439 West Lake Road, Erie, Pa., 16505.