Obituary of Catherine Suzanne "Sue" Smith

Catherine Suzanne (James) Smith ("Sue") died suddenly on September 20, 2024; she was 85 years old. Sue was born on June 20, 1939 in Poughkeepsie, New York to Charles and Ann (Muckenhoupt) James. After graduating from Poughkeepsie High School in 1957, Sue went to the New York State College for Teachers at Albany (later SUNY Albany) and was introduced to Favor R. Smith at a fraternity party at Cornell. They married and moved around a bit, eventually settling in Lake Placid in 1968. Sue taught Reading and English at Saranac Lake Middle School (Petrova). She relished working in middle school and her students always worked as a pick-me-up tonic. Her love of teaching carried on throughout the year and her life: she taught at Camp Monserrate in the summers and after retirement at the federal prison in Ray Brook, at a Navajo reservation in New Mexico, and at North Country Community College. Sue found the travel bug and never let go of it. She concluded that travel could be as educative as sitting in the classroom and started a middle school travel club at Petrova. With her colleagues, they led many trips for students and families. Even after Sue gave up oganizing trips, she stayed on the move, this time with her longtime companion and travel partner Barrie Ramsey. As Sue slowed down and had trouble with her eyes, Barrie was there, always supportive, always up for trips, even if less ambitious than before. Sue loved theater, Pendragon, the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, cooking and having parties. Sue is survived by Barrie Ramsey, son Favor J. (Betsy) and daughter Allison (Mike), and two granddaughters Teresa and Anne, along with numerous nieces and nephews, to whom she is always "Aunt Sue". Calling hours will be held at the M.B. Clark Funeral Home 2310 Saranac Ave. Lake Placid, NY 12946 on Sunday September 29, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Agnes Church on Monday September 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place at the Town of North Elba Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Donations in honor of Sue may be made to Pendragon Theatre or the Lake Placid Sinfonietta. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book, share a memory, upload a photograph or leave condolences for the Smith family.