Marilyn Follett Smith

92, a resident of Saunderstown for 45 years, died peacefully on July 7, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late George Townsend Smith, Capt. USN, Ret. Born on November 16, 1932 in Brockton, MA, she was the daughter of the late George D. Follett and Marian (Keene) Follett.

Marilyn grew up in New London, CT and graduated from Williams Memorial Institute in 1950. Soon after, she met George, then a young Navy officer, in church. They married on June 30, 1951 in Pequot Chapel, New London (where they renewed their vows 50 years later). Marilyn and George dove into military life. They moved with their growing family up and down the eastern seaboard with a stop in Monterey, CA and later Naples, Italy. As parents, they did their best to turn every move into an excellent adventure.

In 1975, when George started his teaching career at Narragansett High School, he and Marilyn built their forever home in Saunderstown. Marilyn loved her home by Narragansett Bay and enjoyed hosting family and friends on many occasions. She was a longtime member of the Newport Navy Choristers, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Narragansett—Cooke-Gaspee Chapter, and an emeritus member of Kingston Hill Gardeners. In earlier years, she was a member of the South County Squares & Whirlaways and had fun singing in several musicals with the North Kingstown Players. She attended First Church of Christ, Scientist in North Kingstown, RI.

In addition to family and friends, her lifetime interests were music, American history, genealogy and gardening. Music brought her great joy until her last days when she could still harmonize beautifully to her favorite musicals and hymns. Marilyn always told us that she led a wonderful life, and her only advice was to “be kind.”

As matriarch of three generations, Marilyn’s legacy continues through her three daughters and their husbands, Laurie Becker (Daniel) of Denville, NJ; Julie Cooper (Charles) of Rollinsford, NH; Andrea Waller (Thomas) of Whitehouse Station, NJ and one son David W. Smith II (Marcella) of Plymouth, MA. Eight grandchildren--Robert Cooper, Steven Cooper (Autumn), James Becker, Rachel Wolk (Charles), Alexander Waller, George T. Smith II, Benjamin Smith and Joanna Smith. Five great grandchildren—Charles, Kaylee and Ava Cooper; Jacob and Maya Wolk. In addition to her parents and husband, Marilyn’s brother David predeceases her.

Marilyn’s family would like to express deep appreciation to her caregivers at Watson Fields, Dover, NH. They took loving care of Marilyn over the past 1.5 years. A private celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held by her family. She will be interred with her husband at the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.