The Town of St. Albans presented Laura Smith with a certificate representing the Boston Post Cane on Wednesday, April 6. A ceremony was held at the St. Albans Town Hall with approximately 45 family and friends in attendance, according to a news release from Town Manager Rhonda Stark.

Stark, made the presentation and Smith’s family provided refreshments.

Smith is the oldest resident of St. Albans, since the death of Velma “Binga” Sawyer on March 18.

Smith was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Carmel to James and Edith Edwards. She married Elmer Smith on June 27, 1942, and has made her home in St. Albans since 1949.

Prior to 1949, after Elmer served in the U.S. Army during WWII, they lived in Flagstaff where Elmer helped cut the wood for the area that would later become Flagstaff Lake.

Laura raised her four children, twin daughters Diane and Donna, and sons Dennis and Dean, much of the time on her own after the untimely death of her husband in 1967 at the age of 45. She never remarried.

In her younger years, she could be seen each fall picking potatoes with her husband in the potato fields of Lionel Warner. Later on she worked for many years as a care taker for Gladys Bigelow, who was like family to her.

She was an active member of the Helpful Workers and Christmas Club, before the organizations dissolved. For many years she organized the spring and fall rummage sales to help raise funds for Summerfest.

She continues to be independent, living by herself, driving her car, working in her flower garden, and cooking and canning for her family. She enjoys feeding and watching her birds and taking walks.

Smith is a member of the St. Albans Union Church and over the years has worked on many suppers and provided many snacks for various programs. She is affectionately known as “Nana” to many people in town, children and adults alike.

In addition to her children she has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her picture and an article will be displayed on the wall in the town office, under the encased “Gold Cane.”