Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.
Obituary
Lois Emily Ketterson Smith
December 5, 1931 – March 16, 2026
Lois Emily Ketterson Smith, known to all as Emmy or Emily, passed away peacefully at home in Durham, New Hampshire on March 16, 2026, at the age of 94. A longtime friend of Emmy recently wrote, “When Emily Smith arrived, the world arrived with her.” It is poignant and utterly apt that she exited away from us in her own bed and in her own time, just as she had hoped, gently closing an era while still leaving behind a richer more vibrant world for both family and friends
Emmy was born on December 5, 1931, in Orange, New Jersey, to John Boyd Ketterson and Lois Temperance Meadows Ketterson and grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. She and her siblings John and Ellen, were raised by their engineer father who had a deep love of Texas and a creative, motivating mother who kindled in all her children a lifelong dedication to learning and curiosity. With these strong influences, the Ketterson kids all went on to spend their careers in academic communities.
Emmy earned a B.Sci in physics from the College of William & Mary in 1953, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. That same year she married Maurice Daniel Smith (Dan), whom she had met while working as a counselor at Trip Lake Camp in Maine. The East Coast newlyweds set off for Hawaii (before it was a State), where Dan taught and coached at the Punahou School, and where they welcomed their first child, Ellen Christine "Chris". The years that followed were full of movement and growth: Daniel pursued graduate studies at Harvard, during which time the young family welcomed son Boyd. In 1961 Emmy and Dan moved to Richmond, Indiana where Dan taught at Earlham College and daughter Laurie arrived to complete the family.
In 1967, Emmy and Daniel began putting down roots in Durham, New Hampshire, where they would raise their family and build the rest of their lives. The ever-indomitable Emmy launched what would become a 28-year career at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) while Dan earned his tenured professorship. It is no surprise to any who know her, that Emmy rose from a support role to Director of Communications then, shifting gears, became Vice President of the UNH Foundation, while also raising three rambunctious kids. She continuing the Ketterson/Smith tradition of fostering curiosity for arts, music, reading and learning by exposing them to a myriad of enriching activities and experiences and somehow keeping a level head. It is possible that Dan's enlightened decision to bring her breakfast in bed every morning for decades was integral in her ability to volunteer for leadership roles with national higher education and postal policy organizations, complete her M.B.A.,and learn Mandarin.
Retirement brought Emmy no shortage of purpose. She served as a trustee of the Durham Public Library playing a central role on the committee that raised funds and won a successful town vote to build a freestanding town library. She traveled to 39 countries — with family, the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus, and as a leader for Interhostel. Before and after retirement there were decades of summers at Dan’s ancestral home in New Hampton, NH where she tended a flourishing, cheerfully weedy garden, and introduced each of her grandchildren to potato digging and raspberry picking, often followed by pie making amidst clouds of flour and bowls full of wiggly, jam-stained fingers and then a gin on ice in her favorite spot in the world, the back porch. Despite her waning eyesight she played bridge keenly for as many years as she could, read voraciously and widely, and fostered her connections with college and high school friends, and cherished her local relationships dearly. Both her intellectual curiosity and desire to bring friends and family together were boundless.
Emily was predeceased by her beloved Daniel and eldest daughter Chris. She is survived by her siblings John Ketterson of Evanston, Illinois, and Ellen Ketterson of Bloomington, Indiana; her children Boyd and Laurie; her grandchildren Bryce, Brett, Elliot, Corinne, Jonah, and Anna; and her great-grandchildren Walker and Lewis.
Emily counted herself deeply fortunate that so many of her family lived nearby. They were, along with Dan, the beating heart at the center of her remarkable life. She inspired all of the many people she held close, and countless more who had the fortune to meet her along her life trajectory. She was a remarkable woman of intellect, humor, courage, insight, energy, creativity, kindness, strength, and wisdom. She made a mark, and will be missed.
1931 – 2026
Gallery
Emily's Memory wall
When my daughter, Isabel, was born daughter in Dallas in July 2006 we went out to see Emily that September. I have wonderful memories of that trip, staying in New Hampton took side trips with a boat ride on Squam Lake and gondola ride where Emily made sure to pack a nutritious lunch.
We returned year after year because being with her felt like coming home. Emily had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed, loved, and held close. She was a rare kind of person—steady, warm, and deeply devoted to her family. I will always carry her spirit with me, and I will never forget the love she shared so freely.
Family tree
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