Priscilla Richardson Smith, 92, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and family dog, Groot, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. She will be remembered as an avid reader, talented gardener and needlepointer, community and church volunteer, and loving mother and grandmother who cooked delicious family meals.
Born May 8, 1933, in Dover, Priscilla graduated from Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Mass., before attending Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. Former Gov. Charles Terry set her up with Air Force fighter pilot Jay Smith, and they married in 1954. After countless moves supporting her husband’s career, they became full-time Rehoboth residents in 1983, where she dove into community affairs and didn’t look back.
Few people served the greater Rehoboth Beach area more tirelessly — or humbly — than Priscilla, or Prissy as her late husband and grandchildren referred to her. In 2000, Rehoboth Beach Main Street presented her with its Community Unity Outstanding Citizen Award, followed by being named the 2002 Delaware Coast Press Person of the Year. The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce chose her for the 2004 Mae Hall McCabe Award for Outstanding Community Service, and she was honored with the 2010 Village Improvement Association Citizenship Award.
When pressed about how and why she did so much for the community, she would say, “Ohhh, it’s just something I enjoy.” Something she enjoyed most was ensuring the continual success of Rehoboth Beach Public Library. She led the Friends of the Library as president from 1993 until 2018, while chairing countless fundraisers, including the beloved Chocolate Festival. She served as secretary of the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association for 18 years, plus terms as president and treasurer. She honed her gardening skills as a member and officer of Sussex Gardeners and through her over 20 years of service as chairperson of the Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission, maintaining playgrounds, gazebos and community gardens.
The Rehoboth Beach Charter Centennial Committee, the Downtown Revitalization Committee on Aesthetics, Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Save Our Lakes Alliance 3, and other groups enjoyed Prissy’s expertise and leadership, as did the Rehoboth Beach Parks and Recreation Committee. Her commitment extended to her church, All Saints’ Episcopal, where she served as senior warden, a vestry member, and led the altar guild for four decades. To further the church’s ministry in the community, Priscilla chaired the long-running Rehoboth Christmas Shop fundraiser. Throughout this time, Priscilla dedicated over 24 years as treasurer for the City of Rehoboth Beach.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, James “Jay” Warner Smith; her parents, Harry Alden Richardson II and Dorothy Millman Richardson; and her sister, Dorothy Richardson Baldwin.
Priscilla is survived by her three children, Curtis Alden Smith (Elaine), Cynthia Smith Speake (Elliotte) and Terry Alden Smith; seven grandchildren, Alden Speake Cayse (Brian), Madeline Alden Smith, Molly Alden Smith, Margaret Alden Smith, Beau Alden Smith, Erika Alden Smith and Christopher Alden Smith; one great-granddaughter, Edith Alden Cayse; and the family dog, Groot.
The family expresses appreciation to her caregivers, Cindy, Wanda, Virginia, Laurie, JoJo and Wendy.
She’ll be missed deeply by her family and the many people who shared her sharp-witted friendship.
A memorial service will be held in December at All Saints’ Church in Rehoboth Beach; details will be announced soon. Inurnment will be private.
Memorial gifts may be made to West Side New Beginnings Inc., Rehoboth Beach, or a charity of choice.
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