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Margaret Williams Smith of Guilford died peacefully at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford on Dec. 17, 2020, of leiomyosarcoma. Margaret was a woman of poise, warmth, and subtle humor, committed to teaching and a life of service, a loving wife and mother. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on Nov. 12, 1940, to William Frederick Williams, Jr. and Margaret Nelson Williams. Margaret graduated from Bryn Mawr College, where she majored in the history of art. While earning a master of arts at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, she found intellectual excitement and joy working in archaeological excavations in Istanbul and Samothrace.

She taught art history at Connecticut College and the Williams School, tutored Japanese students in English in Tokyo and in Connecticut, mentored high schoolers through Upward Bound, and served with Literacy Volunteers. At Darien Book Aid for years, she selected much-needed books to send to schools around the world.

An active Episcopalian and holder of a master of arts in religion degree from Yale Divinity School, Margaret was a volunteer throughout her life; she cared deeply about welcoming newcomers. In her own parish and through Episcopal Social Services and with Interfaith Refugee Ministries, she helped refugees acclimate themselves to life in the U.S.

Margaret loved travel, literature, kayaking, observing birds and other wildlife, learning languages, singing, and listening to choral music. She enjoyed the work and camaraderie of the Friends of the Guilford Library and the Leetes Island Garden Club.

Margaret is survived by her husband, The Rev. Kent C. Smith, whom she met while both were on the Connecticut College faculty. She leaves two daughters, Sarah (Rodolfo Hernandez) of Alameda, California and Emily of San Francisco, California; a grandson, Mateo Hernandez; her brother, William Frederick Williams, III of Maynard, Massachusetts; and a niece, Abby Williams Pinto of St. Paul, Minnesota. A sister, Mildred Potter Williams; and a nephew, William Frederick Williams, IV, predeceased her.

Following a Dec. 21, 2020, Requiem Mass at her parish church, Christ Church (Episcopal) in New Haven, Margaret was buried in Juniper Hill Cemetery, Bristol, Rhode Island. Gifts in Margaret’s memory may be sent to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030 Hagerstown.MD 21741-5030; https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/support-us/explore-donation-options.

Arrangements were in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com .