Arline L. (Beaulieu) Smith

Arline L. (Beaulieu) Smith, 89, of Salem, NH, passed away March 27, 2026, surrounded by her cherished family. She was the wife of the late Francis A. Smith, Jr.

Born at home in Livermore, Maine on June 24, 1936, Arline was the fifth child of Idamay (LeBrasseur) and George Beaulieu. She lived in Livermore Falls, Maine during her elementary years before moving to Groton, Connecticut, and later to Lynn, Massachusetts. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn in 1954.

She met Frank Smith after stepping on his foot at a dance, and they married in 1955. Over the next 10 years, Arline and Frank welcomed 8 children. They raised their family in Reading, and later lived in Ogunquit, Maine and Fort Myers Beach, Florida before finally settling in Salem, New Hampshire to be closer to their children.

Arline’s children remember her as a dedicated mother who accepted their individuality and encouraged them to pursue their goals. She expressed herself through the arts: painting, music, drawing, and crafts, and enjoyed gardening, nature, birds, flowers, and the woods of Maine.

From childhood, she found joy in poetry and literature and was drawn to writing. She wrote short stories and memories of her early years with her family in Livermore, her time in the pasture, and the surrounding woods. Her love of words inspired her to take classes whenever she could while raising her children, and at the age of 58, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Emmanuel College in Boston. She continued writing on her own and in writing groups.

Arline instilled in her kids and grandkids a sense of wonder and curiosity with her appreciation for nature. She showed her grandchildren how to “play house” under a blue spruce, with leaves for a bed and a branch for a broom, and how to set up the kitchen. She taught others to fish for crabs with a strainer and hot dogs over the Ogunquit footbridge and took them night swimming and to see the sun rise over the ocean. Arline was an excellent cook and was known for the ability to “make something out of nothing.”

As a child, listening to older relatives speaking French and singing songs sparked an intense interest in her French Canadian and Acadian ancestry. Her research included trips to Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, where she and her husband met second cousins and shared family genealogy, stories, and strengthened family ties.

Arline loved music. She played piano and loved when her kids burst into song in the kitchen. She tried to teach them to harmonize the way she did with her sisters. She took up guitar in the 1970s, singing with neighbors at their many gatherings.

She was an active member of the St. Agnes church community, becoming a lay minister, attending prayer meetings, and leading a youth group with her husband. This work piqued her interest in the Catholic Worker movement, and she took opportunities to volunteer at Haley House in Boston.

Arline was predeceased by her siblings Robert Beaulieu, Norman Beaulieu, Anita Strome, and Jeanette LaPointe.

Arline is survived by her eight children, William Smith, Charlene Smith-Fadden (Keith Fadden), Marilyn King (Fredric), Maureen Smith (Alex Krauss), Stephen Smith, Paul Smith (Katie (Shiner)), Rosemary Smith-Berry (Donald Berry), and Suzanne Smith (George Joudrie). Arline is also survived by Linda Moretti, Susan (McCulloch) Smith, and Steve Flynn.

She is also survived by 26 grandchildren:

Rebecca Smith, Daniel Smith (Ashley Van Scyoc), and Gregory Smith; Ashley Fadden, Erin Fadden (Chuck Griffin), Kristen Duval (Ben), Brian Fadden (Jaime), and Kevin Fadden; Derek King (Christina Hammonds Reed), and Ronnelle King (John Kaminski); Melissa Aronis (Tom); Laura Chesney (Brian), Sarah Dion, Ellen Therrien (Dan), Matthew Smith (Kim McLaughlin), and Mark Smith (Jessica); Ryan Smithman (Lisa), Cory Smith (Jennifer Tietz-Smith), Paul (PJ) Smith, and Kelsey Smith (Lucas Cerqueira); Michael Berry (Jessica Nuttall), Lindsey Bevington (Domenic), Alex Berry (Leah Ricketts), and Stephen Berry; Jack Flynn (Ashley), and Liam Flynn (Libin Gurase).

Rounding out the family, she leaves her 31 great-grandchildren:

Keegan Smith, Allie and Caleb Duval; Benjamin King; Cheyanne and Trevor Hoole; Valerie, Blake, and Madeline Chesney; Jordyn, Cooper, and Mason Dion; Charlotte, Clara, and Caroline Therrien; Kallee McLaughlin, Parker and Brogan Smith; Joseph, Augustine, and Benedict Smith; Eleanor and Emmett Smith; Austin Berry; Amora Bevington-Cedrone and Raegan Bevington; and Stacy Ricketts, Logan, Autumn, Rita, and Lucas Berry.

Visiting hours for Arline will be held Wednesday, April 8th from 4 to 8 PM at Barile-Cota Funeral Home at 335 Park St. in NORTH READING MA (corner of Rte. 28 and Park St.)

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 9th at 10:30 AM at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading MA, followed by burial at Wood End Cemetery, 33 Franklin Street, Reading.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Arline’s life.

In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Arline, the family suggests donations to Lazarus House at https://lazarushouse.org/memorial-honor-gifts/ or the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance at https://www.mainewriters.org/support.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome